A PARKING update has been given as works begin on the new outpatient department at a hospital in Cornwall. 

Following on from the news that the new outpatient department being built at West Cornwall Hospital in Penzance will be open to patients by the end of March 2025, an update has been given over what this means for parking at the site. 

According to an update from RCHT Building Programme, the parking area at the front of the hospital has been fenced off in order to allow the main works to begin.

A new temporary drop-off and pick-up zone has been created close to the main entrance, with blue badge parking spaces moved to the eastern side of the main entrance. 

The update also urges visitors to consider local residents when attempting to park by the hospital and to use Cornwall Council's online resources to locate parking spaces in the area. 

In an update posted on its social media page, RCHT Building Programme said: "Kier are now onsite and work is underway at West Cornwall Hospital to build a new, modern Outpatient Department. You may have noticed that the parking area to the front of the hospital has now been fenced off to enable the main works to start.

"Blue badge parking spaces have now moved to the east of the main entrance, next to Therapies. A new temporary drop-off and pick up zone has also been created close to the main entrance. The accessible parking to the rear of the hospital (by the current Outpatient Department) will remain as it is.

"For all other hospital users, please consider local residents when trying to park by the hospital. If you are able, please use St Erbyn’s Car Park, or Causewayhead Car Park. Both car parks are just a few minutes’ walk to the main entrance. Further car parking options can be found by searching ‘Cornwall Council Parking Penzance’ online.

"To find out more about this project and others happening at Royal Cornwall Hospital, please click the link in the comments. Any queries, please email rcht.buildingprogramme@nhs.net."

The new outpatient department project will be slightly smaller than planned, as the funding provision is the same amount as was originally allocated in the summer of 2021. The project team has said it has had to factor in inflation, and the other supply chain cost increases in the last two years, to remain within budget.