University Hospitals of the North Midlands (UHNM) NHS Trust has officially opened its new staff carpark at Hilton Road, Newcastle-under-Lyme.

The new car park is on the site of the former Grindley Hill Court, Royal Stoke University Hospital and replaces the existing staff parking spaces provided at the Royal Infirmary and Central Outpatients Department sites.

The former site at at the Royal Infirmary will be redeveloped for local housing and community services.

The new carpark was officially opened by Tracy Bullock, UHNM chief executive, alongside representatives from UHNM, contractors IHP, Stoke City Council planning department and local residents.

The multi-storey carpark has 1,680 spaces and will be available for staff to use from Tuesday 7 May.

Lorraine Whitehead, Director of Estates, Facilities and PFI at the Trust, said: “We are thrilled to be able to open our new car park which improves NHS facilities for staff, enables better car parking for our patients and allows for the redevelopment of the Royal Infirmary site.”

Tracy Bullock, UHNM Chief Executive said: “I am delighted to officially open our new staff car park. If we have got staff parking in the right place, it helps ease the burden on parking spaces for our patients and visitors and supports our local residents also. I would like to thank all teams involved in bringing this project in on time and within budget but also to our local planners and residents for their patience and willingness to work with us.”