Mary Kelly Foy, the MP for the City of Durham, has written to the local council to demand solutions for ongoing parking problems at University Hospital North Durham in County Durham. The letter, sent on 24 March 2026, asks for help to address a shortage of spaces that has caused some patients to miss their medical appointments.
The parking issues at the site worsened after roughly 100 spaces were removed from the Melbury Court car park to make way for new student housing. Visitors have reported that the current situation is distressing, with cars frequently parked on nearby residential streets and blocking access for local people.
The County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust has apologised for the parking pressures and recently added 70 new public spaces. Hospital staff are also being told to use temporary car parking at the Durham County Council headquarters at County Hall to leave more room for visitors.
While plans for 222 more parking spaces were approved in 2023, construction work on those spaces has not yet started. Additionally, a planned two-storey extension to the hospital emergency department is currently on hold because the necessary funding is not yet available.
Local officials have recommended that visitors use the Sniperley Park and Ride service, which is one stop from the hospital and stays open until 7pm. The MP is currently gathering feedback from residents about their experiences to support the push for better facilities or alternative transport options.
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