STAFF at Poole Hospital have been reminded about parking respectfully after nearby residents complained.

Gordon Penman of Churchfield Road said that the latest incident happened on Monday, January 16 at 7.30am, when he was due to attend an important meeting but a careless driver had parked outside the white painted boxes, blocking him in.

He claims that he later found the car’s owner, who was an hospital employee, and explained that ‘the car’s handbrake must have slipped.’

Gordon wrote 14 letters to the top bosses at Poole Hospital asking for them to speak to parking permit holders who leave their cars in the area.

He’s also asked Borough of Poole (BOP) about when parking wardens will take action on offending drivers and claims that he has been given three different answers, including only when a car is 50-per-cent out of a painted box.

He said: “My wife and I have lived here for 12 or 13 years and we’ve noticed that traffic generally and parking has become a greater problem. I believe that it could lead to the potential for criminal damage and the breach of the peace.”

Stewart Grant, 25, who also lives in the road, said: “It’s rather tricky because we have parking bays either side of the drive and in front on the opposite side of the road, which means that people just have to park slightly out of the box and we almost can’t get out.

“The problem is that some of the bays are not big enough for two cars, meaning that one parks outside the lines.”

Resident Katie O’Donnell, 30, said: “Parking on the road is a nightmare as people leave their cars to get to town, the hospital, or the nearby building sites.”

A Poole Hospital spokesman said: “We’re grateful to Mr Penman for bringing this issue to our attention.

“In light of his complaint we’ve reminded all our staff of the importance of parking considerately, respecting local traffic regulations and residents’ access needs.”

BOP parking services manager Jason Benjamin said: “We are actively monitoring the situation and responding to residents’ concerns.”