The planned construction of a Black Country hospital’s new £6million staff car park has been delayed by a problem over the contract.

Builders were due to start work at Russells Hall Hospital in Dudley in May, but bosses claim the scheme has been postponed “while the remaining contractual details are finalised.”

Chief executive of the Dudley Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Paul Farenden is confident the problem would be resolved soon – and that work would “hopefully” begin later in the summer.

He said: “Work on the building of the 691-space multi-tiered staff car park has experienced a slight delay. while the remaining contractual details are finalised between the respective parties involved in the project.

“We anticipate the project will soon be back on track and work will hopefully begin later in the summer.”

Staff parking at Russells Hall has been restricted since the end of March in anticipation of building work starting in May. The project is expected to take two years once construction starts.

A £500,000 temporary park and ride car park will remain in use until the multi-storey opens and 500 staff have snapped up permits for the short-term car park in Dreadnought Road, Pensnett.

Shuttle buses taking staff to and from the hospital are in operation.

Residents and workers in Pensnett mounted a bid to prevent the park-and-ride scheme, fearing delays and congestion.

Dudley planners reckoned they could find no reasonable grounds to reject the application, despite sympathising with the campaigners.

Health bosses hope the new car park will alleviate parking congestion in streets near the hospital.

Critics say that while the car park will free up room for patient parking, high charges could cause visitors to snub hospital parking.

Earlier this month Mr Farenden refused to review parking charges, despite receiving a formal request from councillors.

Councillor Bryan Cotterill, who won unanimous support for his calls for a review at a council meeting, called the stance “sad.”