New Car Park for Brecon Hospital
Breconshire War Memorial Hospital is to get a new car park, bringing an extra 70 spaces, following £1.6million investment from Welsh Government and charitable sources.
Over the last 5 years, Brecon Hospital has received significant investment to improve and enhance the services it provides, enabling more patients to receive care closer to home, and as a result, the hospital has seen significant increases in activity. Due to the rural nature of Powys, a high proportion of patients need to travel to site by car, and this has had a direct adverse impact on the parking provision in Brecon and associated Patient accessibility.
Welsh Government has now approved £1.05 million capital funding, in addition to £0.55 million funding received from a number of charitable sources.
The project has already gained formal planning approval for an additional 70 spaces, and this will enable the construction of a split-level car park to the north of the hospital. Throughout the development of the project, decarbonisation and biodiversity have been key components, significantly influencing design considerations:
- The use of low impact materials and methodology
- Electric vehicle charge points
- Low energy and environmentally considerate lighting
- Protection of existing mature trees and root systems
- Natural soakaways
- Ecology zones
- Use of recycled materials
- Replanting of 2 trees for any trees affected by the works
Work will also be undertaken to adapt and upgrade the existing car park, including the introduction of a small number of additional electric vehicle charge points.
Minister for Health and Social Services, Eluned Morgan said: “I am pleased to announce this feeding to help improve access for patients to Breconshire War Memorial Hospital. The new car park has been designed to support our plans for the decarbonisation of NHS Wales.”
Hayley Thomas, PTHB Deputy Chief Executive & Director of Planning & Performance said: “The £1million capital investment from Welsh Government will provide much needed improved access for patients requiring health and care services at the hospital. I would like to extend special thanks to Garfield West, Brecon Legacy Fund, Tenovus/Moondance Foundation and the League of Friends who have also made important financial contributions towards this project.”
Fiona Jones, Chair of the Brecon Hospital League of Friends, said “The League of Friends are delighted to support the hospital with the planned new car park. The services provided in Brecon, which allows patients to be treated locally, has significantly increased. The provision of more car park space is long overdue and will be a great addition to our wonderful hospital.”
Work is due to begin in the new year with an anticipated completion by autumn.