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Hospital Parking

Colchester General Hospital, Turner Road, Colchester, Essex, CO4 5JL

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Access Guide

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Getting To The Hospital (Colchester Hospital)

  • By Road View
    • The hospital is located on Turner Road to the north of Colchester. The post code for sat nav users is CO4 5JL.

      The hospital can be easily reached from both the North and West of Colchester, via the A12 and is well signed. There are several routes in from the A12 which will take you to the hospital site. From the East use the A120 and the South the A133, both again are well signed for the hospital. The main route in uses the A134 which takes you almost directly to the hospital site.

    • There is one large main car park on site accessed off Turner Road along with several smaller sites adjacent to the Gainsborough Building.

      Blue Badge bays are available in the main car park and are also spread around the site close to most of the building entrances.

      The main visitor’s car park operates an ANPR system. The barriers will open automatically to allow you in. If you are a Blue Badge holder, you have to report to the main reception just inside the main hospital block entrance and present your badge, where they will then log you in to the system so you do not have to pay. The barriers will automatically open when you exit.
      If you are not a Blue Badge holder, before returning to your car you must pay at one of the payment machines located either in the car park or at the main hospital entrance. The barriers will then automatically open as you leave the car park.
      The smaller accessible car parks located around the hospital site are free to Blue Badge holders. All badges must be displayed in the car window. You will not need to go through the barrier system for these car parks, so you will not have to report to the main hospital reception.
      There are three pay on exit machines. One is located under the canopy just outside the main hospital entrance, one is just inside the main hospital entrance and the other is in front of the visitor car park, across the footbridge and to the left-hand side as you walk out of the hospital.

  • By Bus View
    • There are several bus services which run to the hospital and use the on-site bus stops.
      Stop 1 services are the 8, S1, S2 and 68. Stop 2 services are the 68, 84 and 84B.

      There is also a bus stop on Turner Road opposite the main hospital car park. The services that stop here are 8, S1, S2, 68, 80, 81, 81A, 84 and 84A.
      All buses from City Centre to Hospital stop at the bus stop on Turner Road. All buses from the Hospital go from the onsite bus stops which are a short walk from main hospital building.

    • There is an onsite bus stop.
    • The onsite bus stop is located to the left of the main hospital entrance.
    • There are 2 onsite bus shelters on the south entrance road. There is fixed seating in the bus shelters.
  • By Train View
    • The nearest train station is Colchester, approximately 1.9km from the hospital site.

      It is approximately a 25 minute walk.

      There are several bus services which run from the train station to the hospital from Stand A. These include the 8, S1 and S2.

      There are several taxi services which run from the train station.

  • Useful Links View

Getting Help and Assistance (Colchester General Hospital)

  • To see the hospital map please click here (opens new tab).
  • There is a Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) at the hospital.
  • The Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) is located on the first floor of the Main Hospital Block, with the PALS Meeting Room to the left of the Main Hospital Reception Desk on the ground floor of the Main Hospital Block.
  • The telephone number for the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) is 0800 7837 3828.
  • The email address for the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) is [email protected].
  • There are not volunteers available for help and assistance at the hospital.
  • Documents are available in an alternative format and can be provided to include: Braille on request, large print on request, Makaton on request, different languages on request, voice recognition CD on request and audio on request.
  • There is not an assistance dog toilet or toileting area on the hospital site.
  • Water bowls for assistance dogs are available on request.
  • BSL interpreters can be provided on request.
  • Language interpreters can be provided on request.
  • A mobility scooter charging point is not available at the hospital.
  • Mobility aids are available to help patients move around and include; wheelchairs.
  • To obtain mobility aids please contact a member of staff.
  • There is a Changing Places facility at this hospital which is located on the ground floor of the Gainsborough Wing.
  • To view the Changing Places Accessibility Guide please click here.

Hospital Parking (Main Visitor Car Park)

  • Parking View
    • The hospital does have a dedicated car park.
    • The car park is located at the front of the main hospital block.
    • The car park type is open air/surface.
    • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
    • The car park does have a barrier control system.
    • The barrier controls/touchscreen can be reached from the car.
    • The car park surface is tarmac.
    • There is a/are Blue Badge parking bay(s) available.
    • The Blue Badge bay(s) markings are faded.
    • There is/are 10+ designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the hospital car park.
    • The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) surveyed are 322cm x 511cm (10ft 7in x 16ft 9in).
    • There is not a 120cm hatched zone around the Blue Badge parking bay(s).
    • The dimensions of other designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) vary in size.
    • Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders do not need to be booked in advance.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is a designated drop-off point.
    • The drop-off point is located outside the Urgent Treatment Centre entrance.
    • There is not a dropped kerb from the drop-off point.
  • Paying View
    • There are parking charges for the hospital car park.
    • Payment signs are provided.
    • Payment signs are clearly presented.
    • Payment signs are located at the payment machines in the car park.
    • Payment signs do make it clear if parking charges apply to Blue Badge holders.
    • Parking is free for Blue Badge holders.
    • Free parking for Blue Badge holders is for 30 minutes only.
    • Payment machines are located at the front of the car park.
    • There is not a payment machine at a convenient height for wheelchair users.
    • There is not a level turning space (minimum 185cm x 210cm) in front of the payment machine(s).
    • To see the hospital parking charges please click here (opens new tab).
  • Access to the Hospital View
    • The route from the car park to the entrance is accessible to a wheelchair user with assistance.
    • Assistance may be required because there is/are uneven surfaces.
    • The hospital entrance is not clearly visible from the car park.
    • The route from the car park to the hospital entrance is clearly signposted.
    • The nearest designated Blue Badge parking bay is approximately 47m (51yd 1ft) from the main hospital entrance.
  • Comments View
    • This car park operates an ANPR system. The barriers will open automatically to allow you in. If you are a Blue Badge holder, you have to report to the main reception just inside the main hospital block entrance and present your badge, where they will then log you in to the system so you do not have to pay. The barriers will automatically open when you exit.
    • If you are not a Blue Badge holder, before returning to your car you must pay at one of the payment machines located in the car park, the barriers will then automatically open as you leave the car park.
    • ?The height of the controls for the payment machines are between 60cm and 143cm.

Hospital Parking (Gainsborough Wing Accessible Car Park)

  • Parking View
    • The hospital does have a dedicated car park.
    • The car parking facilities are for Blue Badge holders only.
    • The car park is located just across the road from the Gainsborough Wing.
    • The car park type is open air/surface.
    • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
    • The car park does not have a barrier control system.
    • The car park surface is tarmac.
    • There is a/are Blue Badge parking bay(s) available.
    • The Blue Badge bay(s) markings are faded.
    • There is/are 10+ designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the hospital car park.
    • The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) surveyed are 378cm x 617cm.
    • There is not a 120cm hatched zone around the Blue Badge parking bay(s).
    • The dimensions of other designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) vary in size.
    • Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders do not need to be booked in advance.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point.
  • Paying View
    • There are not parking charges for the hospital car park.
  • Access to the Hospital View
    • The route from the car park to the entrance is accessible to a wheelchair user with assistance.
    • Assistance may be required because there is/are dropped kerbs.
    • The hospital entrance is clearly visible from the car park.
    • The nearest designated Blue Badge parking bay is approximately 26m (28yd 1ft) from the Gainsborough Wing entrance.

Hospital Parking (Constable Wing - Radiotherapy Centre Accessible Car Park)

  • Parking View
    • The hospital does have a dedicated car park.
    • The car parking facilities are for Blue Badge holders only.
    • The car park is located at the rear of the hospital site.
    • The car park type is open air/surface.
    • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
    • The car park does not have a barrier control system.
    • The car park surface is tarmac.
    • There is a/are Blue Badge parking bay(s) available.
    • The Blue Badge bay(s) is/are clearly marked.
    • There is/are 4 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the hospital car park.
    • The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) surveyed are 435cm x 621cm.
    • There is a 120cm hatched zone around the Blue Badge parking bay(s).
    • Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders do not need to be booked in advance.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is a designated drop-off point.
    • The drop-off point is located just outside the Radiotherapy entrance.
    • There is a dropped kerb from the drop-off point.
    • The dropped kerb does not have tactile paving.
  • Paying View
    • There are not parking charges for the hospital car park.
  • Access to the Hospital View
    • The route from the car park to the entrance is accessible to a wheelchair user with assistance.
    • Assistance may be required because there is/are slopes/ramps.
    • The hospital entrance is clearly visible from the car park.
    • The nearest designated Blue Badge parking bay is approximately 25m (27yd 1ft) from the Radiotherapy entrance.

Hospital Parking (Elmstead Day Unit Accessible Parking)

  • Parking View
    • The hospital does have a dedicated car park.
    • The car parking facilities are for Blue Badge holders only.
    • The car park is located outside the main entrance for the Elmstead Day Unit.
    • The car park type is open air/surface.
    • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
    • The car park does not have a barrier control system.
    • The car park surface is tarmac.
    • There is a/are Blue Badge parking bay(s) available.
    • The Blue Badge bay(s) is/are clearly marked.
    • There is/are 3 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the hospital car park.
    • The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) surveyed are 350cm x 500cm (11ft 6in x 16ft 5in).
    • There is a 120cm hatched zone around the Blue Badge parking bay(s).
    • The dimensions of other designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) vary in size.
    • Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders do not need to be booked in advance.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is a designated drop-off point.
    • The drop-off point is located directly in front of the Elmstead Day Unit entrance. As of June 2023, due to building works, the drop-off point is not available for use.
    • There is a dropped kerb from the drop-off point.
    • The dropped kerb does not have tactile paving.
  • Paying View
    • There are not parking charges for the hospital car park.
    • Payment signs are not provided.
  • Access to the Hospital View
    • The route from the car park to the entrance is accessible to a wheelchair user with assistance.
    • Assistance may be required because there is/are dropped kerbs.
    • The hospital entrance is clearly visible from the car park.
    • The nearest designated Blue Badge parking bay is approximately 8m (8yd 2ft) from the Elmstead Day Unit entrance.
  • Comments View
    • 1 of the Blue Badge Bays is currently blocked by a mobile unit.
    • The Blue Badge Bays are currently out of use while building works are being carried out on a new facility next to the Elmstead Day Unit.

Hospital Parking (Breast Unit Parking)

  • Parking View
    • The hospital does have a dedicated car park.
    • The car parking facilities are for Blue Badge holders only.
    • The car park is located at the rear of the hospital.
    • The car park type is open air/surface.
    • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
    • The car park does not have a barrier control system.
    • The car park surface is tarmac.
    • There is a/are clearly marked/signposted Blue Badge parking bay(s) available.
    • The Blue Badge bay(s) is/are clearly marked.
    • There is/are 4 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the hospital car park.
    • The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) surveyed are 350cm x 590cm.
    • There is a 120cm hatched zone around the Blue Badge parking bay(s).
    • Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders do not need to be booked in advance.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is a designated drop-off point.
    • The drop-off point is located just outside the entrance to the Breast Unit.
    • There is not a dropped kerb from the drop-off point.
  • Paying View
    • There are not parking charges for the hospital car park.
  • Access to the Hospital View
    • The route from the car park to the entrance is accessible to a wheelchair user unaided.
    • The hospital entrance is clearly visible from the car park.
    • The nearest designated Blue Badge parking bay is approximately 14m (15yd 11in) from the Breast Unit entrance.
  • Comments View
    • Parking in the drop-off area is limited to 30 minutes.

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