Despite signs of progress, there is nothing 'concrete' in terms of improving the car parking situation at the Maelor Hospital. 

Issues have been ongoing for years at the hospital in Wrexham, with a lack of available car parking spaces leading to over-flowing car parks. 

Cars are frequently parked on double yellow lines, grass verges and pavements with staff, patients and visitors all trying to make appointments or get to work on time. 

Earlier this week, Leader readers branded the issue 'a joke' due to struggles when trying to park at the hospital. 

There are hopes that Plas Gororau, a new site purchased by Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board last year, will alleviate some of the pressure on parking. 

On Wednesday, Wrexham's MP Sarah Atherton met with health chiefs at Betsi to discuss the situation. 

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Sarah Atherton said: "I met with the East Integrated Health Community Director, who is responsible for Wrexham Maelor Hospital, to discuss a range of issues, including the very topical and pressing issue of parking at the hospital.

"Hospital leaders understand that parking is a significant issue. According to research undertaken two years ago, there is a shortfall of 600 spaces, meanwhile the hospital is caring for more people than the site was built for, and Wrexham continues to grow as a city.

"Although there are no easy solutions, I understand that the hospital is working with an external organisation to look at alternative options to address this issue.

"Additionally, Plas Gororau, an off-site outpatient building intended to relieve pressures on the main Maelor Hospital site, will add an extra 200-250 parking spaces, is now expected to open in late October/early November.

"Whilst there is some progress and it is encouraging that BCUHB are exploring potential options, there is nothing concrete to report yet.

"After waiting years for appointments, the last thing I want is patients missing them because they are unable to park! I will continue to lobby the Health Board and hospital to address this issue urgently and will keep constituents updated."

Michelle Greene, East Integrated Health Community Director at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, said: “We fully appreciate how challenging car parking can be for patients, visitors and staff and we do not underestimate the stress and anxiety it can cause. 

"We are actively looking at a range of solutions to address the issue of car parking.

"Also, later this year we will begin to relocate some services currently provided at the hospital to Plas Gororau, which has 200 additional car parking spaces. This development will play an important role in alleviating car parking pressures at the hospital.”