The people of Crewe have taken to social media to slam the decision by Sajid Javid, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, to re-introduce parking charges for NHS staff at hospitals.

The charges had initially been dropped in March 2020 as part of a package of measures intended to deal with the response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Crewe and Nantwich Labour Party has also expressed concern at the decision.

Councillor Connor Naismith (Labour), who represents the Crewe West ward, stated: "The timing of this decision could not be worse.

"The NHS staff I speak to are at breaking point as a result of dealing with the pandemic and dealing with the same cost of living crisis as the rest of us - amplified by over a decade of pay stagnation.

"We all want staff working in our NHS to be able to focus on treating patients, not how they are going to afford to pay for parking just to be at work.

"This is a government which is out of touch with both staff and patients."

The plan includes Leighton Hospital in Crewe, which has stirred anger from Crewe residents and councillors.

Jackie Jobling who lives in Crewe commented on Crewe Nub News social media: "I think it is totally disgusting to charge these wonderful 'life savers' to park their cars - to enable them to save lives."

A Mrs Ballard from Crewe also said: "Totally wrong. If they park in the staff only car park they should have free parking. If however choose to park in patient spaces - that's a different matter."

From today (April 1), local PCR testing sites in Crewe and further afield with be closed.

Free LFD tests have also ended - now available for purchase from pharmacies, local retailers such as Boots and Superdrug or from online stores.

In case you missed it: Crewe NHS staff told free parking will end this Friday.

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