HOPES a new staff car park would relieve congestion outside a busy hospital have been dashed after claims it is standing empty.
The Journal has been told the 350-space car park, opened three weeks ago at an estimated cost of £1.5 million, has lay largely unused by staff members.
Workers have instead opted to continue to use the car park, complaining that it is too far, at 300 yards, from Glan Clwyd Hospital’s main entrance.
But hospital bosses have hit back claiming staff are continuing to park “inappropriately” in the visitors' car park.
One source explained that despite pleas many workers “blatantly refuse” to use it, leaving out-patients and visitors searching for car parking spaces.
A spokeswoman for Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board said: “There is a designated footpath leading from the new car park directly into the rear of the hospital, and in most cases this is a shorter walk than from where a lot of staff have been parking, often inappropriately.
“Safety is a priority, and the footpath is well lit, covered by CCTV, and is designed to ferry staff safely, avoiding the need to use the roadway and face oncoming traffic.
“Staff are therefore being encouraged to use the car park and footpath.”
The Journal ran a story earlier this month highlighting that changes to visiting times had led to congestion queues.
Hospital bosses’ decision to limit visiting times to an hour every afternoon from 3pm to 4pm led to a scramble by visitors for services and time with their sick friends and family members.
Cllr Diana Hannam described the decision as being responsible for causing “chaos”.
A spokeswoman for Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board said at the time that no formal complaints had been made and that the new staff car park would be used as a overspill.