HOSPITAL staff have two months to prepare for a car ban.

More than 150 motorists have already been told they will not be able to drive to work at Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital as part of a new transport policy to cut down traffic at the Headington site.

The scheme is being launched by Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust in preparation for the £85m development plans which will see health services at the Radcliffe Infirmary moved to sites across Headington.

Plans to move eye specialists, genito-urinary clinics and ear nose and throat wards to the JR are part of the Private Finance Initiative which will be the largest health development in Oxford for 25 years. The planning application is due to be discussed by city councillors on Wednesday, March 15., and managers are keen to prove that, although the equivalent of 180 beds, ten operating theatres and various out patient clinics could move to Headington within the next four years, traffic in the area will not increase.

Now staff must apply for a parking permit and those who can get to the hospital via public transport will be banned from bringing their car to work. When the scheme starts on Tuesday, May 2, trust transport strategy officer David Edwards hopes to reduce the 1,700 staff vehicles by 150.

He said: "Some people may not be happy about this, but that's inevitable. But we have discussed with staff about this because we don't want to be inflexible.

"We have started a car sharing system as well and improved security in the car parks."

Mr Edwards and his team has already organised two new bus routes with bus companies in the area.

The 10B travels to the hospital via Cowley, while the number 12 starts its journey from the Pear Tree Park and Ride.

He said: "It is more likely to affect managerial staff rather than doctors and nurses, who work from nine to five and can easily get buses to work.

"It will not affect patients at all. In fact it will be beneficial as we hope to transfer some of the staff parking into patient parking."

Workers will not even be able who bring their cars close to the site and park in neighbouring streets as the surrounding area will be residents-parking only from March.

Story date: Saturday 26 February

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