What is the Public Notice Portal?
The Public Notice Portal carries statutory public notices published in local newspapers and is the fastest and most effective way of finding out what is happening in YOUR neighbourhood.
Search the Public Notice Portal An MP has called for stronger safeguards for blue badge holders using car parks at the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton and James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough.
Rishi Sunak, MP for Richmond and Northallerton, has written to chiefs at the South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which runs both hospitals, and ParkingEye, after receiving numerous complaints about the current parking arrangements at both sites.
The Friarage Hospital, Northallerton
(Image: Richard Doughty)
Mr Sunak is concerned that the existing system can leave blue badge holders facing Parking Charge Notices despite having attempted to follow the required process.
He believes the process should be as straightforward as possible, particularly given that many people using blue badges may already be dealing with illness, disability or reduced mobility.
The South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said that Blue Badge holders must register their vehicle details at on-site kiosks, which link directly to its automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) system. A spokesperson added: "We are happy to offer support on-site to any patient or visitor who requires it."
James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough
(Image: NORTHERN ECHO)
But Mr Sunak has asked the trust and ParkingEye, who run parking arrangements on their behalf, to review the safeguards currently in place and consider whether motorists are given sufficient confirmation that their blue badge registration has been successfully recorded.
Rishi Sunak, MP for Richmond and Northallerton
(Image: Chris Booth)
Mr Sunak said: “I have been contacted by a large number of people who have concerns about the way the current parking system operates for blue badge holders.
“For those who are already dealing with illness, disability or mobility difficulties, using a hospital car park should not create additional uncertainty or stress.
A parking ticket
(Image: PA MEDIA)
“The process should be as straightforward as possible, with clear safeguards in place to ensure that blue badge holders who follow the correct procedure are not unfairly penalised.
“I have therefore asked the trust and ParkingEye to look carefully at the current system, including whether motorists receive sufficient confirmation that their registration has been successfully recorded.
“I hope they will be able to identify any improvements that could make the process clearer and give blue badge holders greater confidence when using the hospitals’ car parks.”
In response to Mr Sunak's concerns, a University Hospitals Tees spokesperson said the current arrangements "provide an additional safeguard by ensuring parking concessions are only applied to vehicles associated with a valid Blue Badge, helping to protect disabled parking bays for those who need them".
Read more
'Unfair' parking charges at Teesside hospital as drivers 'turn car and get fined'
Drivers urged to report shoppers at Aldi, Asda, Tesco, Lidl & more over car park rule
Durham NHS Trust's top boss talks trans row regret and Darlington hospital water
"In response to feedback, Parkingeye has introduced a new kiosk message confirming that, once successfully scanned, a blue badge exemption remains registered for up to one year or until the badge expires, whichever is sooner. This means users do not need to re-register on every visit, making the process simpler and reducing the risk of errors."
The NHS Trust noted that last month alone, around 12,000 blue badge registrations were completed via kiosks at The James Cook University Hospital, with a further 2,000 registrations at the Friarage Hospital.
The spokesperson added: "We are increasing the number of kiosks at both sites in the autumn.
"Blue badge holders can also register in person at the Travel Link desk at The James Cook University Hospital and at the reception at the Friarage Hospital.
"We are exploring alternative registration processes, as well as continuing to review signage and accessibility arrangements to make parking as straightforward and convenient as possible for disabled patients and visitors."
A spokesperson for Parkingeye added: "Parkingeye has partnered with South Tees Hospital NHS Trust since Aug-2025 to significantly improve how its car parks operate.
"During this time, there has been investment in modern consumer-facing systems which have enhanced accessibility and made parking at the hospital easier and safer for staff, patients and visitors.
"The system is designed to ensure the efficiency and smooth operation of the hospital by ensuring that patients, visitors and staff park in their allocated car parks.
“Working in partnership with the Trust and other stakeholders, we have reduced the burden on blue badge users, so they only register their vehicle once per year via a parking kiosk. Extensive signage is displayed throughout the site and car parks, with support offered to those in need.
"Thereafter, users only need to display their blue badge on their vehicle dashboard whilst accessing a designated disabled bay. For those that are not physically impaired, they also have the ability to utilise any visitor parking bay. Additionally, users can seek assistance via the main reception desks where they simply present their valid disabled blue badge and enter their vehicle details onto a hand-held device.
“As part of our commitment to transparency and best practice, we operate a British Parking Association audited appeals process. The appeals process is simple and accessible, and we encourage motorists to engage with it to provide any background and evidence if they believe they have wrongly received a parking charge.
“It is only during engagement with the appeals process that personal and mitigating circumstances can be brought to light and fairness and understanding shown.”