Dental Patients Angered, After Parking Restriction Introduced

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Dental patients in Leatherhead have been left angered after parking restrictions were enforced without notice outside the Dental Elements practice.

Councillors and practice staff are also up in arms after a large proportion of the car park, which serves the Royal British Legion, a medical practice and the District Social Club, was restricted to permit holders only. Ten spaces have now been allocated to the neighbouring office block, Wesley House, leaving patients and members of the other organisations struggling to park.

Sandra Kudla, practice manager at Dental Elements, said that a number of patients have turned up late to appointments because they struggled to park. He also added that most people feel anxious about going to the dentist anyway and do not need the extra stress of being unable to park. Mrs Kudla said that there was a maximum of three cars in the car park on Friday, which means that taking 10 spaces is excessive.

Valeria Shurvell, HR and patient services manager at Ashlea Medical Practice, said that she had discussed parking arrangements with Mole Valley District Council and was assured that no changes would be made for at least 12 months and that parking would be available for both permit holders and short-term visitors. That was less than three months ago. She said that it is now a struggle for mothers with children, the elderly and other patients to access the practice.

Leatherhead North ward councillor, Bridget Lewis-Carr was extremely angry about the parking changes and said that it was “disgraceful” that none of the councillors were informed about plans to bring in permit parking.

County councillor, Tim Hall, said that the decision was “very odd” given that the medical practice is the main surgery in the town. However, councillor Chris Reynolds said that the agreement with Halycon, the company that manages Wesley House, is lucrative and will help to reduce council debt.

 

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