Harborough GP Surgery Defends New Parking Enforcement

A GP surgery in Market Harborough has defended a new parking enforcement system following criticism from a local councillor.

Two Shires Medical Centre says the system was introduced to tackle misuse of its car park by people not visiting the surgery, which has made it difficult for patients to find spaces.

The ANPR system requires patients to enter their vehicle registration details inside the practice or at the on-site chemist, with a 20-minute grace period for short visits. Those who fail to register risk receiving a £100 fine.

The car park outside the surgery on Torch Way has previously been used by people attending nearby football and rugby clubs when the surgery was closed.

Councillor David Page fears the scheme could unfairly affect patients and has questioned what safeguards are in place to prevent genuine patients from being fined:

Two Shires Medical Centre says the system was introduced to tackle misuse of its car park by people not visiting the surgery

A spokesperson for Two Shires Medical Centre said: “Patients are our priority and it’s essential that they can park easily. The Parking Enforcement System will be of particular benefit to our older and more vulnerable patients who often cannot find a space when the car park is used by people who are not visiting the practice or the chemist.

“The system gives a 20-minute grace period for quick visits. Patients needing a longer stay need to input their car registration details at either the practice or chemist and then there is no fine for their visit.

“We would like to make it clear that car parking at Two Shires Surgery remains free of charge to patients and chemist users and that the practice and chemist do not receive any of the funds from fines that are issued by the system to unauthorised users of the car park either in or out of hours.”