THERE'S good news for residents of Bewsey this week - they are soon to get residents-only parking to stop hospital visitors blocking their streets.

Good for them - I'm sure if I lived there I'd be fed up of people like me parking there too.

However, that is going to stop the horrendous parking problems at the hospital.

No, there aren't any plans for improving that. Just parking fines for those caught out.

A councillor says the scheme will stop people who don't want to pay the fees at the hospital car park.

But it's got nothing to do with the fees, it's how the hell do you find a space there?

It doesn't matter what time of day you go (or evening for that matter) you simply can't find a space.

Cars are parked up verges, on yellow lines, all over the place because there simply isn't enough parking.

When my son was in hospital last year after having his appendix out, I could never find a space to park when visiting him.

I'll happily admit I did park in one of the streets opposite, but it had nothing to do with not paying, but with not being able to find a space.

And this is how ridiculous it is, I had an appointment to visit the chief executive some months ago (work stuff) and I couldn't find a space then.

I don't know where the chief executive parks, I assume she's lucky enough to be given a space.

But if you have a sick relative or you get a call to say one of your loved ones has been taken into hospital, then you need to get there urgently.

It's all very well people championing public transport, but sometimes it's just not suitable.

There isn't a bus that will take me from my home in Grappenhall straight to the hospital.

I'd need to catch one to the town centre and then take another one to the hospital or walk it.

Fine, I'm happy walking, but not when it's urgent and not when you are ferrying a sick or injured person or a son (another one) who thinks he's broken his foot.

Buses aren't suitable then.

What about people who live even further afield? How do they cope?

Whiston Hospital has a massive multi-storey car park opposite it and a free bus service is provided for those not able to make the short walk across.

Why can't we have something similar?

So while this new residents-parking scheme is great for those folk in the streets opposite the hospital it's bad news for the rest of us.

The problem will simply move elsewhere... watch and see.