Parking problems around Christchurch hospital are to be alleviated soon with the opening of the new Hospital parking building at the beginning of next month. Richard Webb, CEO Canterbury Health and Mayor Garry Moore will officially open the parking building 4 March at 1.00pm, although the building will be open for parking from 7.00am that day.

The 365 space parking building on the corner of Tuam and Antigua Streets is a joint venture between Canterbury Health, the Christchurch City Council and a private developer. "The project is a fine example of how a local authority, the South Island’s largest hospital and the private sector can successfully work together in providing a positive outcome for visitors to Christchurch hospital and the residents of the City", said Mayor Garry Moore.

For the first month of operation (March) all carparks in the building will be free of charge, in an effort to raise awareness about the new parking site and to encourage drivers to start using it. There will also be an extra 100 car parks on the hospital grounds, bringing the total number of car parks round the hospital to 250.

"The increased parking now available to the public and staff will end what has been a huge source of aggravation for patients and their visitors for many years", said Richard Webb, Canterbury Health CEO. "The covered car park will provide long term, low cost parking for visitors and patients with tunnel access to the Hospital. I am particularly pleased that we can now provide at least another 100 metered parking bays immediately adjoining the hospital. These will be available because we will move a large number of doctor and staff car parks to the new car parking building. The new on-site metered car parks for the public will be much more convenient for short stay visitors eliminating the frustration of finding a park and then having to walk unnecessarily long distances," said Mr Webb.

"I’m delighted that the hospital staff have accommodated the public of Christchurch by opening the hospital site carparks for general use. It means that when people are visiting their friends and family, parking will be even easier", said Garry Moore.

While free parking on the hospital campus will cease, the first twenty minutes in metered spaces will be free. After that, the charge will be $1.20 an hour. Anyone who overstays in their park will be able to take their parking ticket into Christchurch Hospital reception and pay only the amount they should have fed the meter. There will be no fines for overstaying if this amount is paid.

There will also be drop off spots round the hospital with free parking up to 20 minutes.

Charges in both the car park building and in the 250 metered spaces will start April 6th.

More details on the official opening will follow closer to 4 March.

For further information:

Maurice Smith, Parking Operations Manager, Christchurch City Council

Phone 371-1738 or

Allanah James, Canterbury Health Communications Manager

Phone 364-0087.