Martin anger at lack of support for Hospital Parking Bill   October 1, 2009

Labour MSP Paul Martin has expressed frustration and anger at the failure of his hospital parking bill to win cross-party support despite the fact that a majority of those who responded to his consultation backed the proposals. The Glasgow Springburn MSP accused the other parties of 'failing to step up to the plate when it really mattered.'

The Bill was signed by 34 Labour MSPs, but needed support from at least one MSP from another major party to go forward.  The proposals are backed by health unions and would apply across the whole of the Scottish NHS estate, including hospitals such as Ninewells and Glasgow & Edinburgh Royal Infirmaries, which continue to levy charges.

Glasgow Springburn MSP Paul Martin said: "I am disappointed and frustrated that my bill will not become law. This was an opportunity to introduce a fairer system and scrap hospital parking charges once and for all from every NHS site in Scotland. 

"The sad truth other parties have been all talk and no action on this issue. They have talked a good game about scrapping charges but failed to step up to the plate when it really mattered.

"My proposals would have made it illegal for a health board to levy parking charges on patients, visitors or staff - or anyone who has to visit a site for whatever reason. I can assure people that I will continue to campaign for these charges to be scrapped.

"If commercial sites like Braehead and the Fort can provide free parking, it is a sad reflection that people who are being cared for in hospital and their families have to pay to park."