HINCHINGBROOKE Hospital is to clamp down on patient, visitor and staff parking. From February 1, the hospital will be handing over parking enforcement to a private company which will be issuing non-payers with £40 fines. County Parking staff will check pa

HINCHINGBROOKE Hospital is to clamp down on patient, visitor and staff parking.From February 1, the hospital will be handing over parking enforcement to a private company which will be issuing non-payers with £40 fines.County Parking staff will check pay-and-display tickets and be on the lookout for vehicles parked on pedestrian crossings and in emergency bays, as well as those in disabled spaces without a blue badge.However, vehicles parked on double yellow lines or grass verges at particularly busy times at the hospital will not receive tickets as long as they show proof of payment.Director of facilities Brian Gibbs said: "We strongly feel that it is very unfair to the majority of people, both patients and staff, who pay for their parking, to allow those who don't to get away with it."- The New Year also sees the completion of Hinchingbrooke's £6 million new emergency care centre, which will become home to the hospital's accident and emergency service from 5am Monday, January 16 and out of hours GP services from Tuesday, January 17.