I WOULD like to bring to the attention of Penarth Times readers that enforcement of the parking regulations at Llandough Hospital is controlled by Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras.

The main car-parks, including the new multi-storey, have a maximum waiting time of four hours and are for the use of patients, visitors and staff.

Signage for these car-parks is adequate and appropriately placed.

The separate drop-off zone adjacent to the outpatients department and wards 12/14/16/18 is for pick-up and drop-off only and has a 20 minute maximum waiting time.

The signage in this area is not easy to notice when driving in and in my opinion, is inappropriately placed across the road from the drop-off zone footpath. There is a sign at the entrance to the drop-off zone which states 'Danger. Do not walk in the road'; it is therefore impossible to read the terms and conditions, including the fact that waiting in this area is (strictly) enforced by ANPR camera.

Any unsuspecting patient or visitor, and there are many, who fall foul of the 20 minute maximum waiting time, will receive a Parking Charge Notice in the post between seven and 12 days after the event. A parking charge of £70, reduced to £40, if paid within 14 days, is payable.

Bearing in mind the period of time before the Parking Charge Notice is received, it is possible to incur further Parking Charge Notices before becoming aware of the regulations.

On a number of occasions I have made drivers, waiting in their vehicle for their passenger, aware of the ANPR enforcement and they have immediately moved to the four hour parking area, thus avoiding the parking charge. Clearly, these drivers had not been able to read the inappropriately sited signage.

I have written to the Chief Executive of the Cardiff & Vale University Health Board requesting that he instruct the Parking Enforcement Company to erect appropriate signage on the footpath side of the drop-off zone so that they can be legitimately read by drivers/passengers.

Roy Horrobin

Sully