20/10/2025
STATEMENT REGARDING PARKING AT WILDERNESS MEDICAL CENTRE
We would like to thank all our patients and staff for their cooperation following the sudden loss of parking at the Kennet Road parking site. Although this change was anticipated to happen eventually, the lack of warning has created significant challenges.
As you know, the surgeries have taken several measures to ensure our most vulnerable patients can maintain access to parking closest to the medical centre. Many of our staff have been parking at other sites during this period to free up spaces. We would also encourage those who are more able to park in the Hines Meadow car park and make use of the free one-hour parking provided by the Royal Borough. A link can be found here: https://myringgo.co.uk/rbwm/permitapplications/info/91/RPD. This allows those who need parking close to the surgery to be able to utilise this. The following video guide may also help: : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p91hOpnKnSs
We have been aware of this potential issue and have been attempting to meet with council leaders to explain the problem for our patients and the local community. We encourage the council to work with us, as this is a problem for our entire community, not simply a health or social issue. The care of our community is our utmost concern.
There are several measures that we believe the council could help us with, which are outside of our gift:
1. The creation of increased disabled parking spaces.
2. An increased warden presence at the site, as many people parking in the surgery car park are not patients or staff, meaning those who need the spaces cannot use them.
3. Collaboration on improving safety at the Hines Meadow car park, as the safety of our patients and staff is paramount, especially as the winter evenings draw in.
4. A long-term focus on improving public transport into the town centre, which would reduce the need for cars for both staff and patients. Having people visit a surgery in the town centre also helps to support our local community and its businesses.
We have been made aware by our patients of social media posts claiming this is a Cedars management issue. The site, known as the Wilderness Medical Centre, is run by four services: Claremont Surgery, Park Pharmacy, A J R Crosbie & Associates Dental Practice, and The Cedars Surgery. We have all been working together to find a solution for our patients, as the care of our patients and our community is our highest priority.
Motorists living in the Royal Borough can now apply online for their free, virtual parking permits to join the council’s new resident parking discount scheme...
