PARKING problems are still plaguing Wrexham Maelor Hospital.

Members of the public and staff have told the Leader views on the longstanding issues, and have called for action to be taken.

Dan Lewis posted on Twitter that parking at the hospital is an "joke", adding: "I drove around for 20 mins last Friday from 11am, parked in Morrisons in the end.

"There is no way all those cars are visitors to the hospital - I reckon a lot of people are taking advantage of the free parking, (it) should be two/three hours max or a fine."

Ian Peters said: "Wanted to go in with my dad for his appointment. "Couldn't park so had to drop him off. Still hadn't parked by he came out again 40 minutes later! It's totally out of control and not managed."

@welshornot said that parking is a "nightmare" and added: "Full by 9am. Apparently office workers from town are treating it as a park and ride, they are the problem. (A) £2/£3 charge won't deter them - still cheaper than in town car parks."

@Sally56047444 said: "I work in the Maelor. A staff only car park is needed where staff have to scan their cards to get in, and a multi storey car park for patients and visitors.

"But no I don’t think they should have to pay."

Mal Jones said that number plate recognition would solve the problem.

He said: "Staff could log their numbers to have free parking. Visitors could register their number so that it would only be genuine visitors."

On Facebook, Stephen Hughes said: "I think they should charge to park and get your money back if you attend the hospital."

Tracey Gee added: "There's rails up along grass verge but yesterday (Tuesday) there was still a few cars getting on the grass verges its awful there thought, no spaces."

Joan Lightfoot added: "I would rather pay than drive round panicking about keeping my hospital appointment."

Cllrs Marc Jones and Carrie Harper, Plaid Cymru members for Grosvenor and Queensway, discussed the issue with hospital executives in February, where it was admitted that the problem had intensified in recent months.

According to the party's Wrexham group, the hospital has a shortage of around 200 car parking spaces at peak times, leading to people parking illegally, missing appointments or even parking in Morrisons and walking.

After the meeting, Cllr Jones said: "We put forward some suggestions but the lack of capital to develop a multi-storey car park or a barrier system was cited.

"We were agreed on the need for better bus services to serve the hospital, both in terms of green travel but also to reduce the number of cars.

"There are plans to look at sites for a park and ride as well, which would also help to reduce pressure on the existing car parks.

"We urgently need to re-think our bus services to make sure public transport is working for the public to get them where they want to go."

Cllr Harper said that the abuse of free parking by a small minority who do not use the hospital also has to be addressed.