Parking probe for ambulances

Published: 19 August, 2010
by JOSH LOEB

CAMDEN’S environment chief has pledged to investigate ticketing of private ambulances outside hospitals.

Labour councillor Sue Vincent said she had been aware of the discontent before the New Journal’s revelations last week that University College London Hospital’s main private ambulance contractors were suffering high numbers of parking penalties.

Door2Door PTS – the main provider of transport for patients at the Euston Road hospital – have lodged an official complaint with the Town Hall after the number of parking tickets it received shot up.

Cllr Vincent said: “I will look into what is going on here and see if tickets have been issued inappropriately. University College London Hospital should also have a robust think about whether it has enough valid parking spaces for the number of ambulances going in there.”

The council says it has a duty to keep streets clear and had reacted to concerns flagged up by the Fire Brigade that contracted ambulances were clogging up possible emergency routes.

Parking chiefs have attempted to repair relations by sending Door2Door PTS general manager Malcolm Barnes an invitation to meet with them. Abdi Risaq, 35, a Door2Door PTS employee who lives in Bidborough Street, King’s Cross, said: “The wardens say you can stay for 10 minutes but if you’re taking a patient in on a stretcher it could take longer.”