A HOSPITAL's park and ride service which is used by thousands of patients will come to a halt at the end of this month.

The scheme, which operates from the former Hotpoint factory site in Bodelwyddan to Glan Clwyd Hospital, was introduced in October 2014 to help ease parking pressures and traffic congestion while redevelopment work went on at the hospital.

The service will stop running on June 30.

The land - where the park and ride operates from - was leased initially for a period of 18 months, with an option to review the contract annually thereafter.

It is understood the contract for the land terminates at the end of the month.

North Wales Pioneer:

The Park and Ride service for Ysbyty Glan Clwyd which is coming to an end. Picture: Geoff Abbott, GA160419A

Rod Taylor, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB)'s Director of Estates and Facilities, said: “The Park and Ride service was introduced as a way of easing parking pressures at Glan Clwyd Hospital while spaces were lost due to the redevelopment project.

“A temporary site licence has been agreed with the current site owners and the present arrangement is in place until June 30 2019.

“There is no doubt the service has been well used and has been a success in mitigating the pressures on parking spaces while the redevelopment work has been taking place."

The health board have always maintained the service was always meant to temporary.

Mr Taylor added: "Since the Park and Ride service went live, Glan Clwyd Hospital has seen the creation of an additional 149 car park spaces at the rear of the hospital site. Furthermore, additional parking areas have been returned back into service as contractor’s compound areas are vacated on site.

“We will be carrying out a review of travel arrangements on site over the coming months to assess at the long-term plan for parking on site at the hospital.

"This review would help us determine the long-term parking needs on site, so that we have a sustainable solution to improving people’s access to services on site."

Patients have told the Journal that notices have gone up at Glan Clwyd Hospital confirming the park and ride is coming to an end this month.