Getting to the Hospital

Bus and coach services

The main bus station is in St Andrew's Street North (tel: 01284 702020), a few minutes walk from the town centre. Eastern Counties Bus Company runs a minibus service from here to the hospital and return at approximately 30-munute intervals.

Railway station (tel: 01284 484950)

The railway station is on Station Hill, about 1 mile from the town centre and two miles from the hospital. There are at least five train services daily between Bury St Edmunds and Ipswich and Cambridge; the journey time to either is approximately 45 minutes.

There is bus service from the station which runs to the main bus station in St Andrew's Street North, with connecting services to the hospital. There is also a taxi rank outside the station, and further taxi offices on Station Hill,

Taxis

The main taxi rank in Bury St Edmunds is on Cornhill, and there are others at the Railway Station, as indicated above. For a list of registered taxi companies please contact the Tourist Information Centre (01284 764667)

Car parking

There are car parks at the front and rear of the hospital (see site map). All car parks operate on a pay and display basis.

The main front car park is primary for patients and visitors; this car park only dispenses tickets for night staff from 19:00 - 08:00. The rear car parks can be used by staff as well as patients and visitors.

Parking charge for visitors:

Up to two hours £2.20

Two to four hours £3.20

Four to six hours £5.20

Six to 24 hours £10.20

Parking charges for staff:

Staff (with smart Card) 50p

Staff (with permit) £10 a month (pro rata for part time staff)

(The above tariffs take effect on June 6th 2005)

Frequent visitors to the site can purchase weekly (£8) or monthly (£35) permits from the Facilities Department.

Wards and departments also have the ability to issue ad hoc permits in exceptional circumstances.

Visitors unable to walk from the car parks may be set down at the front or rear car entrances prior to the driver parking the car.

Various exemptions may be applied as follows:

Disabled drivers should display their disabled driver's badge and may park in the disabled spaces provided at the front, rear and side of the hospital. Parking is allowed on yellow lines if no disabled spaces remain - but please ensure that you do not cause an inconvenience, blockage or danger to others.

Motorcyclists and bicyclists are exempt provided that they do not use up car parking spaces.

LHP (Local Health Partnerships), delivery vehicles and contractor's vehicles on official business are exempt.

Voluntary Workers: The Voluntary Services Manager is responsible for administering tokens and permits whilst officially working at the hospital.

On-Call Staff returning to site on official business outside normal working hours will be issued with on-call permits by their Head of Department/Senior Manager.

Special cases: Particular groups of people are eligible for a permit or refund of parking fees. These include, for example, members of the public who are receiving income support or family credit and patients and visitors who have to make frequent visits to the hospital. Visitors and patients should contact ward staff to see if they are eligible for a discount in these cases.

Further information about parking can be found in the Trust's Policy for Vehicle Parking, Charges and Reimbursement (word document).

Note: Attendants are responsible for making sure that cars are displaying parking tickets and that they are not causing an obstruction. Wheel clamping is in use.