HOSPITAL bosses have justified a big hike in car parking charges by arguing it will help pay for two additional parking areas.

From May 1, patients and visitors to the James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough  and The Friarage Hospital, in Northallerton, will face higher charges.

Officials point out that the increases will contribute towards the development of two new car parks on the site and building a new link road.

The first 15 minutes parking will remain free, but staying up to two hours will cost £2.70 rather than the existing £2.30.

Staying for between two and three hours will cost £3.50 rather than £3 while parking for between three and four hours will increase from £4.80 to £5.50.

Patients or visitors who want to stay from four hours up to 24 hours will have to pay £5.70 rather than £5.

The first phase of work – a new 326 space car park on land next to The Trinity Holistic Centre – begins this month and is scheduled to be completed by the summer.

Director of infrastructure, Jill Moulton, said: “The trust has not increased its charges since 2011. However to pay for these developments the board does accept that parking charges will have to go up and while that’s never a popular choice, it is necessary.”

The price increase at The Friarage Hospital is to offset increased operational costs.

Staying for up to two hours at The Friarage will cost £1.80 rather than the current £1.50, staying for two to four hours will cost £2.90 rather than £2.50 and parking for between four and 24 hours will go up from £5 to £5.70.

The same visitor rates will also apply to blue badge holders although the trust will continue to offer concessionary tickets.