A HOSPITAL'S decision to raise its car parking fees has led to fears that it will create knock-on problems elsewhere in the town.

The new charges apply seven days a week, ending a previous arrangement allowing people to park free at weekends.

Car parking charges at Northallerton's Friarage Hospital have remained unchanged for eight years.

They were introduced to ensure the car parks were maintained to a high standard and there was adequate security for staff, patients and other people using the hospital.

All the car parks on the site have charges, which used to be 50p for up to two hours, £1 for up to four hours and £2 for 24 hours.

The new fees are £1 for up to two hours, £1.50 for two to four hours and £3 for up to 24 hours.

Permits for patients and visitors who regularly attend the hospital are still available through the finance office.

Hospital manager Richard Clayton said: "The decision to increase charges is never an easy or popular choice, particularly as car parking is difficult at times for patients and staff.

"This small increase is necessary to keep pace with the costs of providing the ongoing security and maintenance of the car parks."

But Northallerton town councillor Tony Hall said more attention should have been paid to the way the charges would affect the area around the hospital.

"Once people, particularly staff of the hospital, refuse to pay these fees to park, which they are quite at liberty to do, they will park on the town's roads, which causes problems for Northallerton residents," he said.

Fellow councillor John Coulson, who said he was against hospitals charging for parking, said: "I realise why they are doing it, but I think it is just a little bit unfair when the car parks owned by other authorities are free.

"If I had to pay on one side of the road and it was free on the other side, I know what I would do.

"When I have had relatives in the Friarage I always park elsewhere. I have never paid out to visit people in hospital in Northallerton."