HOPES are rising that long queues to get into the Great Western Hospital could soon be a thing of the past.

Lines of vehicles stretching back to the A419 have become a common sight as the existing car park quickly fills during peak hours.

However, planning permission has just been granted allowing the car park to be extended by more than 400 spaces.

The new car park will be built on land in the north-east corner of the grounds and it is hoped it will be in use within a few months.

While the new extension will only be used by staff, it is thought this will relieve the pressure on the visitor car park.

A spokesman for the GWH Foundation Trust said: “We are delighted at Swindon Borough Council’s decision to approve our plans to extend our staff car park by around 400 extra spaces.

“This will make a massive difference to both staff and patients travelling to the Great Western Hospital by car, as more staff will be able to park at any one time which will also free up more spaces in our visitor car parks.

“We are now working with the council on a number of minor conditions that were attached to the planning permission and we hope to have the extra spaces in place by the spring.”

Each year more than 1.2 million vehicles enter the hospital car park and despite attempts in the past to fix capacity problems, they have been frustrated due to planning restrictions.

Not only has this led to long queues on the roads, heightening the chances of a traffic accident, but it has mean many people have missed appointments even though they have set off hours in advance.

Staff working at the hospital also struggle to make shifts on time as a result of the parking problems, despite attempts by hospital to ease the problem.

The split between staff and visitor usage is approximately 60 per cent compared to 40 per cent.

A report submitted as part of the application said: “Car parking at the GWH has been problematic for a number of years and with the demand increasing the Trust has initiated and implemented schemes to encourage less car travel.

“In 2011 GWH actively implemented a new travel and car parking policy for staff, including restrictions on access to parking for most staff and encouragement of greater use of car-sharing.

“GWH also operates a Green Transport policy, whilst encouraging staff and visitors to use alternatives to driving where possible.”

However, despite these schemes the report describes car parking provision as ‘desperately inadequate’ and threatens the quality of service which is provided, hence why the application was submitted.