More than 2,100 parking tickets were handed out to patients and visitors at Walsall Manor Hospital in just over a year, it emerged today.

The £30 fines were given to motorists at the hospital. They were dished out for offences such as blocking ambulance zones and causing an obstruction in the grounds. A total of 2,191 tickets were given to drivers from April 2010 until the end of May 2011. Of these, 1,199 were paid, 656 were appealed and 336 ended up being rescinded.

Bosses have insisted the tickets are only issued when people park in an inappropriate location, such as a “red zone” for ambulance drop-off or parking only, or if a vehicle is parked incorrectly or creating an obstruction.

Those who pay within 14 days see the fee reduced to £15, while an appeals process is reviewed through the Manor’s Transport Committee.

Jane Longden, interim associate director of facilities at Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust, said: “Car parking fines are only issued on our hospital site when it’s absolutely necessary.”

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