Conversations continuing to find solution to parking issues at Wilderness Medical Centre, council says

The Royal Borough has said conversations are continuing to find a solution to the parking issues affecting the site of a Maidenhead medical centre.

Patients and staff at the Wilderness Medical Centre, in Cookham Road, had been using a temporary car park on the site of the former Tenpin bowling site off Kennet Road.

This followed an agreement between the council and developer Countryside that the space could be used while the first phase of the Magnet redevelopment was completed.

But last month, this arrangement came to an end due to the Magnet works progressing.

A limited number of spaces are now available outside the centre on a first-come-first-served basis for staff and those with reduced mobility.

Alan Mackay, practice manager at The Cedars Surgery, which is based at the medical centre, said the arrangement for additional parking space had been ended before any suggestions for alternative options could be made.

Patients have been asked to park in the Hines Meadow multi-storey car park where they can claim one hour of free parking through the RingGo parking app when visiting the medical centre.

But Mr Mackay said this is unsuitable for many and leaves people with a small parking window.

He told the Advertiser: “The ability for many to walk across from Hines Meadow if they could navigate the window of one hour’s free parking isn’t realistic and we’ve suffered quite considerable congestion outside the surgery and the inability for both staff and patients to park.”

He added staff have been trying to make alternative parking arrangements to free up access for patients.

“I timed it once, I think it’s a five to eight-minute walk for an able-bodied person from Hines Meadow.

“It’s not ideal and we are slightly concerned about security and lighting over there.

“Our staff are more than happy to park over there, but at the moment it’s at a cost to them, which I think five-hour plus parking in Hines Meadow for staff currently is £14,” Mr Mackay added.

The practices based at the centre, including Cedars and Claremont surgeries, are seeking a permanent solution but have requested an interim temporary fix.

They have called on the council to grant car parking permits for their staff to park at the Hines Meadow.

Additional disabled bays are also being requested next to the staff car parking area outside the medical centre.

The council said it has offered alternative solutions, including discounted staff permits for Hines Meadow.

A spokesperson said: “Recognising the limited parking available near Cedars Surgery, our conversations with the surgery continue, as we work together to support residents, organisations and communities.

“As part of this we have offered a variety of alternative solutions, including free temporary parking at St Cloud’s Way and discounted staff permits for Hines Meadow, and we are in continued discussions with the surgery around how we can support them.”

A spokesperson for Frimley integrated care board (ICB), which oversees GPs in the area, said: “The ICB has engaged with the providers at the Wilderness Medical Centre and the local authority to explore potential solutions.

“Measures taken include providers reminding patients of the one-hour of free parking available at Hines Meadow, and the council offering subsidised staff parking at the same location.”