Sick Joke On Heroes

Fury over £10 parking for NHS workers

- Martin Bagot

NHS heroes at one of the UK’s worst Covid-affected hospitals are being asked to pay up to £10 a day to park.

Darent Valley Hospital has restarted a policy of charging some staff to park at work, although it claims the “majority” are still able to park for free.

The Kent hospital had provided free parking for all staff but has withdrawn this offer to 1,600 without free permits.

The NHS trust said it needs the spaces for patients being treated for routine care and that permits are prioritised for staff who most need them.

A petition against the charges has so far received 1,250 signatures. One worker said: “I have to walk in the dark to my car and back. It’s not safe or fair.”