WORK has begun on installing a new barrier-controlled car park system at Airedale Hospital.

The project includes the installation of a pay-on-exit scheme and clearer separation of staff and visitor parking.

It is also planned to allocate all spaces outside the outpatients' department for disabled parking.

And hospital bosses are working with bus company Transdev to try to increase service frequency to the Steeton site.

David Moss, assistant director of estates and facilities at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust, said: "We know that parking is a perennial issue and hope that these works will improve the situation for our patients, visitors and staff.

"We are hoping to keep disruption to a minimum whilst this work is being carried out and apologise in advance for any inconvenience to both visitors and staff.

"Also, we recommend that anyone visiting the hospital allows plenty of time to park or if possible comes to the site via public transport."

The work is expected to be complete by the end of March.

More details can be found at airedale-trust.nhs.uk/contact-us/parking/.