A Bolton MP says she is concerned about changes to parking charges at Royal Bolton Hospital.

Yasmin Qureshi, who represents Bolton South East, has written to the chief executive of Bolton NHS Foundation Trust after a new system was rolled out which uses automated number plate recognition.

Prices have increased from £3 to £5 for up to eight hours, and £3 to £8 for up to 24 hours. Monthly passes remain at £25.

The changes were originally planned for March 31, however, they were suspended during the coronavirus pandemic.

In a letter to chief executive Fiona Noden, Ms Qureshi has condemned the increase in charges and the timing of the new system.

Ms Qureshi said: “During the pandemic, people have become more reliant on their cars to get around with public transport not at full capacity.

“With Greater Manchester going into local lockdown due to spikes in the region, it is important to remain flexible in helping the public keep safe.

“I do not feel it is right for the hospital to bring in stricter, more expensive parking measures. I also have general concerns about the use of these supposed foolproof parking management systems. I have been inundated over the years with complaints from constituents who have been unfairly penalised by these inflexible ‘parking eye’ systems.”