HUNDREDS of extra parking places are planned for staff working at a new hospital after complaints that there were not enough facilities nearby.
The decision was made to extend the parking on offer at the New South Glasgow Hospitals, in the south side of the city.
City Links Development, which owns the site opposite Linthouse Road, has submitted a planning application for a temporary 600 space car park on behalf of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.
When the hospital is finished in 2015 there will be 2,500 spaces available for patients, staff and visitors with a further 1,000 due to be opened by 2016.
David Loudon, project director of the New South Glasgow Hospitals, said: "We are dedicated to alleviating car parking challenges at the New South Glasgow Hospitals site ahead of the summer opening.
"It is hoped planning permission will be granted for these extra 600 spaces in order to provide safe, secure parking for hospital staff who qualify for staff parking permits because of the need to have their cars for work."
Last month, nursing leaders said a lack of parking at the £842 million super hospital will leave staff with difficulties getting to work.
The Royal College of Nursing say that with 13,500 staff and visitors expected every day there is a huge shortfall.
Anne Thompson, RCN officer for Glasgow, said that in many cases travel by car was the only available option.
She added: "The big problem is for staff coming in from various areas in and around Glasgow where there is no direct public transport to the hospital.
"Nursing staff are very badly affected as a result of shift times starting and finishing work early in the morning and late at night.
"Private companies won't run a bus for a handful of people to get to work early in the morning."
The New South Glasgow Hospitals brings together the existing Southern General Hospital, Western Infirmary, Victoria Infirmary and Mansionhouse Unit in the adult hospital.
In addition, it will house a new teaching and learning facility, Centre for Stratified Medicine and Clinical research facilities with the new children's hospital replacing the Royal Hospital for Sick Children at Yorkhill.
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