THE green light has been given to build a �10 million multi-storey car park on the Lister Hospital site in Stevenage. The business case has been approved by NHS East of England and construction is set to start in spring, with the car park opening in sprin

THE green light has been given to build a �10 million multi-storey car park on the Lister Hospital site in Stevenage.

The business case has been approved by NHS East of England and construction is set to start in spring, with the car park opening in spring next year.

Spaces available for the public will rise from 354 today to over 500, with those designated for blue badge holders increasing from 39 to 123.

The multi-storey, which will be situated on the site of the current main public car park, will be linked directly with the hospital's new main entrance.

A pay-on-exit system will mean people parking will only pay for the time they use.

The car park will have a living green wall of plants, and small wind turbines will support the multi-storey's energy use.

Nick Carver, chief executive of the East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust, said: "Perhaps the one issue that has dominated my postbag over the years has been problems around parking at our hospitals.

"Through the creation of Lister's new multi-storey car park, we are confident this will deal with many of the issues people tell us they experience currently."

While construction of the car park is underway, a park and ride scheme for many non-clinical staff will be in operation.