THE row over parking at Blackburn Royal Infirmary escalated today amid claims that nurses had been abusive and threatening over spaces.

The claims came from people at the community centre near Ivy Street, Blackburn, where the council has introduced £2-per-day charges on the previously free car park.

But Blackburn with Darwen Council, who recently awarded the contract at the car park to Sheffield-based XL Car Parks, claim the move is in response to complaints about security and will give visitors and patients extra spaces.

The £2 charge only applies to drivers who leave their vehicles on the car park for more than four hours. Those leaving within two hours will receive a £1.50 refund while those who return within four hours get £1 back.

Chairman of the local community association Christine Connell, who is registered disabled with arthritis, said: "We have lobbied the council for this to be introduced and are pleased that it has been. The nurses and staff from the hospital abused the car park, leaving cars on grass, raised, cobbled areas and even on pathways. It was ridiculous. "People who had appointments or were coming to the centre could not even get on special reserved spaces and when I asked one nurse to move her car she threatened me and said she hoped I never came to the hospital for treatment while she was on duty."

Local traffic warden Stephen Stone, said: "It has been much better so far and I think it will continue to get better with the introduction of charges on this car park. It will mean that patients can use spaces when they come for appointments.

"Before, people were always stopping and asking me where they could park and I couldn't answer because this car park was always full."

XL parking attendant Jim Owen, said he was astonished at some of the abuse he had received from hospital staff.

He said: "We have had some real abuse from nurses shouting and swearing about the system, I couldn't believe it."

Staff at the Ivy Street centre also claimed drivers using the car park had destroyed trees and bushes planted by youngsters as part of a community garden by parking on top of them.

Mrs Connell added: "We were annoyed when we saw what had happened and the children were heartbroken." It's not that we don't sympathise with the staff but it is not our responsibility, it is the hospital's."

Councillor Dave Hollings, of the community services sub-committee, agreed: "It is not the council's responsibility to provide free parking for the staff at Blackburn Royal Infirmary and other businesses in the area however much we sympathise with the problem."

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