A FORMER councillor is not giving up on his plans to build a multi-storey car park at the John Radcliffe Hospital.
Mick Haines, who was an Independent city councillor for the Marston ward for 10 years, has garnered more than 6,000 signatures across two petitions.
At a city council meeting in February, Mr Haines saw the proposals hit a stumbling block – but the former councillor says he hasn’t given up his mission.
After gathering 4,947 signatures online, with a further 1,431 signing a paper version, Mr Haines continues to push ahead with the notion of a multi-storey car park.
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He told the Oxford Mail: “It’s crucial we get this because the parking up there is awful.
“It’s ridiculous if you’re trying to get parked, and it’s getting worse.
“Loads of people have suffered from not being able to find a parking space, and everyone says this is a good idea – even the doctors up there.
“It’s important to let people know I haven’t given up.
“This is the latest step. When I was a councillor, I had loads of people saying they were suffering.
“They all agree that it’s something that needs to be done and that it’s a good idea.
“The next step is to push and get more signatures, and then if I can get more, I can take this to Downing Street.”
Mr Haines’ online petition – via change.org – states: “The current provision of parking spaces at the John Radcliffe Hospital is not fit for purpose, patients currently queue regularly in excess of one hour just to park, often missing appointments.
“More parking spaces built on the current parking footprint will free up roads and enable better access for patients.”
In February, the calls were put aside by Oxford City Council, in order to focus on alternative solutions.
At a meeting, Mr Haines called on the council to work with Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust ‘as a matter of urgency’ to help sustainable transport to the hospital, and car parking capacity.
Labour councillor for the Carfax and Jericho ward, Alex Hollingsworth, proposed an amendment to Mr Haines’ motion, scrapping the idea of a multi-storey car park.
Instead, Mr Hollingsworth proposed working with both the hospital trust and Oxfordshire County Council to introduce sustainability measures such as shuttle buses that can bring patients and staff to the site.
In May, Mr Haines told this newspaper he would be standing for his seat again once fully recovered from a serious accident which saw him break his hip and pelvis.
Read more from this author
This story was written by Liam Rice, he joined the team in 2019 as a multimedia reporter.
Liam covers politics, travel and transport. He occasionally covers Oxford United.
Get in touch with him by emailing: Liam.rice@newsquest.co.uk
Follow him on Twitter @OxMailLiamRice
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