PATIENTS and visitors using Chippenham Hospital are angry after being given parking tickets, despite claiming they have done nothing wrong.

Drivers are furious because they have been given parking tickets after leaving their vehicles in the car park in Rowden Hill, despite registering their car details with the hospital.

Phillip Smith, of Calne, took his disabled grandson, Kieran, to the hospital last month but found out last week that he had been issued a ticket by Civil Enforcement, which manages the car park.

“We parked quite legitimately, we put the PIN in and the hospital verified that we did that,” said the 60-year-old.

“What concerns me is my wife has the savvy to ring the hospital administration and sort it out, but the elderly or vulnerable, not everybody is going to do that.

“People who are ill or stressed don’t need this.

“I appreciate these people have to exist, you know what parking is like these days, but it’s just nonsense. I’ve done it by the book and been charged.”

“We’re talking about the NHS. What business have they got using cowboys like these in our car parks?”

Mr Smith was told by the hospital not to pay the parking fine as his details were correctly registered, and that they have told other people to report any problems to them directly.

A number of people have taken to social media in the past week to say they have also been given parking tickets. Gurprite Lehal posted on Facebook: “My dad is an OAP and didn’t realise. Appealed and sent appointment letter with appeal and still got fined £80.”

Debbie Chapman said: “I got one after entering my registration. Took fine to the main reception and, because it could be proven, was cancelled.”

A spokesman from the Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust: “We’re sorry to hear of the problems our patients and visitors have experienced with car parking at Chippenham Community Hospital.

“We introduced a new car parking system at Chippenham Hospital last year to ensure that spaces are kept for staff, patients and visitors.

“On arrival patients and visitors should enter their correct car registration details onto one of the check-in stations inside the hospital. Anyone who has any issues should contact Chippenham reception on (01249) 447100.”

The Gazette contacted Civil Enforcement regarding the situation but received no response before we went to press.