A new Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) parking system went live at Darlington Memorial Hospital on Thursday 21 May 2026.
The updated system replaced traditional paper tickets and now uses camera technology to record vehicle registration numbers as cars enter and leave both the visitor car park and the staff car park near Memorial Hall.
The improvements form part of wider parking changes at the hospital designed to improve how parking operates on site, including simplifying the process for patients and visitors and helping improve traffic flow.
Under the new system, drivers will enter the car park as normal before paying for parking by entering their vehicle registration number at a payment machine prior to leaving.
There will also be a 20-minute grace period for drivers who enter and leave the site without parking.
Payment machines are located inside the hospital at:
- Women’s Centre EntranceÂ
- Main EntranceÂ
- Outpatients A (next to the post room)Â
Blue Badge holders will continue to be supported under the new system and should scan their Blue Badge at the payment machine before leaving.
The Trust and Synchronicity Care Limited recognise that parking can be challenging at busy hospital sites and have continued working to improve access and parking management at Darlington Memorial Hospital.
Alison McCree, Managing Director for Synchronicity Care Limited, said:
“We know how important parking is for our patients, visitors and staff, and we recognise that it can sometimes be challenging at busy hospital sites.
“The new system will simplify the parking process by removing paper tickets and improving how the car park operates day-to-day.
“There is also a 20-minute grace period for drivers who enter and leave without parking, helping ensure people are not charged if they are unable to find a space.
“We would like to thank patients, visitors, staff and local residents for their patience while these works have been carried out.”
Further updates will continue to be shared as the remaining phases of the parking improvement project progress.
Once I’ve parked there , they have to accept cash because I only have cash, otherwise I have got free parking