Car parking at Colchester Hospital
Our multi-million-pound investment programme to build state-of-the-art facilities at Colchester and Ipswich hospitals for treatment and care will significantly improve healthcare for local people.
We know the number of car parking spaces on each hospital site has reduced because of these new buildings. We also know that because of the increased demand for our services, car parking has become extremely limited.
At peak times of the day, it is unlikely that you will find a parking space, so we would encourage you to find alternatives to parking in our car parks – if you can.
We have free 30 minute drop off zones where you can be dropped off and collected after your appointment. There are also very convenient park and ride services, serving both Colchester and Ipswich hospitals.
The buses run at regular times and using park and ride is less expensive than parking in our car parks.
Read more information about park and ride and getting to all ESNEFT hospital sites.
An automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) system is in place at Colchester Hospital, meaning you only pay for the time you are here.
You can use your bank card or mobile phone, as well as cash, to pay for your stay.
Colchester Hospital Parking Accessibility information from AccessAble (Opens in a new window)
Discounted Park and Ride fares
We know it can be difficult to find a space in our car parks, so we’ve arranged a discounted rate for patients who have an appointment, to use the nearby Park and Ride service. It’s just one stop away from the hospital and there are lots of spaces available.
Patients and one accompanying person can use the service for £1.70 each return. You just need to show the voucher at the bottom of your appointment letter to your driver.
The Park & Ride is based at Cuckoo Farm Way, Colchester, CO4 5JA, just off junction 28 of the A12. The bus stops on Northern Approach Road and from there it’s a short walk to the main site along a signed, dedicated hospital pathway.
Pay for parking at the machines
If you decide to pay at the machines, please follow the below steps to pay for your parking.
When you are ready to leave the hospital, go to the machines in the car parks and enter your full, correct vehicle registration. Press the search button and 3 options will appear:
- Option 1 “Yes, that’s my vehicle and the correct entry time” – press and pay for parking
- Option 2 “This is my vehicle but the entry time is wrong” – press and it takes you to the honesty screen
- Option 3 “No, the picture is not my vehicle” – press and it takes you to the honesty screen
If the vehicle is not found, the screen will take you to honesty mode.
Parking charges
The drop off point outside the hospital’s main entrance can be used for 10 minutes only, with no charge.
In the main public car park, there is a 30-minute free stay period.
- Up to 30 minutes – free (you do not have to use the machines)
- Up to 1 hour – £3
- Up to 2 hours – £4
- Up to 4 hours – £5
- Up to 5 hours – £7
- Up to 8 hours – £10
Long stay parking tickets are available from the kiosks located by the entrance barrier. Tickets must be purchased on arrival.
- 3 days – £12
- 5 days – £16
- 7 days – £20
Blue Badge holders
Parking is free for blue badge holders. There are dedicated Blue Badge/wheelchair access spaces in the visitor car parks at Colchester and Ipswich hospitals and by the main entrance of the Primary Care Centre in Colchester.
There are three options for Blue Badge parking at ESNEFT:
Option 1: Ongoing permit
Save time by pre-registering for an ongoing Blue Badge permit. Once set up, you won’t need to re-apply every visit. It will be ongoing until the expiry of your Blue Badge. You will need:
- a smart device
- an email address
Read our step-by-step guide to set up your ongoing permit.
Register online for an ongoing permit on the NexusPlatform (Opens in a new window)
The invitation code is: A K W Z 4 6 Z
Registering will provide you with free parking at the hospital/Primary Care Centre.
If needed, you will also be able to add and change vehicle details for your Blue Badge by logging into your account and selecting the ‘edit’ button.
Option 2: Daily permit
You can confirm your Blue Badge each time you visit, if you do not have a smart device or email address.
If you would prefer to register for a daily permit, please visit our main reception desks at Colchester or Ipswich hospitals.
At the Primary Care Centre, in Colchester, please speak to the team in the department you are visiting.
If you choose this option, you will need to do this every time you visit.
Option 3: One-to-one support
If option 1 or 2 are not suitable for you and you cannot pre-register your Blue Badge, or register for a daily permit, please visit our main reception desks at Colchester or Ipswich hospitals.
At the Primary Care Centre, in Colchester, please speak to the team in the department you are visiting.
Our teams will be happy to help with registering you as a Blue Badge permit holder.
Blue badge holders are not permitted to park on yellow lines, hatched areas, or on the pavements or grassed areas on our sites.
Please email the Travel team for support and to ask any questions.
Parking for people attending cancer appointments
Car parking is free for patients attending chemotherapy, haematology or radiotherapy appointments.If you are attending the Collingwood Centre you should park in the main patient car park. You must register your vehicle registration on the parking tablet in the Collingwood Centre at every appointment.
If you are attending for radiotherapy you should park in the oncology Car Park (the department will give you details). You must register your vehicle registration on the parking tablet in the radiotherapy department at every appointment.
If you have any issues, please ask in the department.
Support for parents with a baby in the neonatal unit
Parents/carer’s with a baby in the Neonatal Unit will need to enter their vehicle registration upon each visit using the tablet on the ward.
If you have any issues please ask on the ward.
Parents of sick children staying overnight
Please register your vehicle details using the parking tablet in the children’s department.
Frequent outpatient attenders
If you need to attend hospital at least three times a month, for at least three consecutive months, you can claim free parking.
A ‘month’ is defined as a period of 30 days. You can reclaim paid fees retrospectively at the end of your treatment by providing receipts and proof of attendance for each period of parking at the General Office.
The General Office opening times are 8am – 5pm Monday to Friday.
Patients on dialysis
Please give your vehicle registration details to reception staff in the dialysis unit.
Support for patients who claim benefits
If you are a patient on any of the following benefits you can claim back parking charges and get a mileage allowance:
- Income Support
- Income-related Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Pension Credit
- Tax Credit Exemption Card
- Income-related Employment & Support Allowance
- HC2/HC3 Form
Visitors on benefits cannot claim.
Disabled people, frequent outpatient attenders and parents of sick children staying in hospital overnight receive free car parking under national guidance. Definitions of these groups and further information can be found on the Government website. (Opens in a new window)
If you have questions about parking at Colchester Hospital, please email the travel plan team.
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