🚗 Southmead Hospital Staff Car Park – Avon Way Secure Staff & Visitor Parking Guide

Type: Staff & Visitor Permit Parking (University Hospitals Bristol & Weston NHS Foundation Trust)
Enforcement: 24/7 permit checks; pay-and-display for visitors Mon–Fri 8 am–6 pm
Rating: Not publicly rated

Pricing & Permits

Category	Cost	Notes
Staff Annual Permit	£150 / yr	Permit displayed on windscreen
Staff Monthly Permit	£15 / mo	Auto-renew option via payroll deduction
Visitor 0–2 hours	£2.50	Pay-and-display at machine or via ParkingEye
Visitor 2–4 hours	£5.00
Visitor All Day	£10.00	Flat rate beyond 4 hrs
Blue Badge Holders	Free (up to 3 hrs)	Validate at reception with badge display

Permit Application: Staff apply via Trust intranet; visitors purchase permits at main reception kiosk or online in advance.
Enforcement: Automatic number-plate recognition and patrols ensure compliance; PCNs issued for non-permit or expired sessions.

Capacity & Physical Features

Feature	Detail
Total Spaces	~350 marked bays (staff & visitor zones)
Disabled Bays	12 marked bays close to main entrances
Surface	Asphalt with painted bay lines
Lighting	LED perimeter & canopy lighting
Security	24/7 CCTV coverage
Height Restriction	None (all vehicle types permitted)

Accessibility

Disabled Bays: 12 clearly marked adjacent to entrances 3 & 5; badge display required.
Drop-Off Zones: Covered lay-bys at Emergency & Outpatient entrances.
Mobility Support: Wheelchair-accessible pathways link car parks to all wards and main hospital entrances.

EV Infrastructure

On-Site Charging: 8 × 7 kW Pod Point bays in staff lot A; available to staff and visitors (pay-per-kWh).
Nearest Rapid Chargers:
- Avonmouth Road Multi-Storey (0.8 mi): 2 × 50 kW rapid bays
- Filton Avenue Car Park (1.2 mi): 4 × 22 kW fast bays

Peak Times & Occupancy

Timeframe	Avg. Occupancy	Typical Users
Weekday Mornings	95 %	Early-shift staff
Weekday Lunchtimes	75 %	Outpatients & visitors
Weekday Evenings	50 %	Late clinics & staff
Weekends	40 %	Weekend staff & patients

Pro Tip: Staff A permits fill early—consider Lot B for later arrival or share permits via the Trust car-share scheme.

Walkability & Site Access

Destination	Walk Time	Key Benefit
Main Hospital Reception	5 min	Central check-in for outpatient services
Emergency Department	3 min	Fast access via covered walkways
Oncology & Renal Units	7 min	Direct internal corridor link
Staff Canteen & Amenities	On-site	Café, ATM, prayer room

Alternative Parking Comparison

Site	Distance	Cost	Max Stay	Advantage
Filton Avenue Car Park (Council)	1.2 mi	£1.50/hr; all day £6	24 hrs	Cheaper hourly rate & covered bays
West Car Park (Bristol City Council)	1.5 mi	£12/day	24 hrs	Secure multi-storey & EV rapid chargers
On-Street (Avon Way)	Adjacent	Pay-by-phone £1.20/hr	2 hrs	Short-stay for drop-offs & deliveries

Important Notices

Strict Permits: No informal parking; all staff and long-stay visitors require valid permits or face PCNs.
EV Bay Etiquette: Please relocate once charged to allow others to use the points.
After-Hours Visitor Parking: Pay-and-display machines remain active but reception validation available until 8 pm.

Expert Tips

Car Share Scheme: Join the Trust’s car-share network to access discounted campus parking and reduce carbon footprint.
Remote Payment: Use ParkingEye app to extend visitor sessions without returning to the machine.
Permit Transfer: Staff can swap daily unused permits via the intranet portal for flexibility.

Future Developments

2025: Planned expansion of Lot B to add 100 spaces and 10 EV chargers.
2026: Introduction of ANPR pay-on-exit for visitor bays to streamline access and reduce queuing.