A new car park at Grindley Hill Court

UHNM unveiled its brand new staff car park at Grindley Hill Court in an official ribbon-cutting ceremony earlier this month. The Trust’s Chief Executive, Tracy Bullock, was joined by UHNM colleagues, contractors Integrated Health Projects (IHP), and a number of local residents on 24 April to celebrate the completion of works to the new multi-storey development.

It will be available for staff from Tuesday 7 May 2024.

Work on the Grindley Hill car park site is making good progress. The image below shows the site with the concrete set in place.

Following a number of complaints from residents in the local area surrounding Royal Stoke, especially in the Lukesland Avenue and Lodge Road, regarding inconsiderate parking by UHNM staff please be reminded to park with respect and consideration.

We are pleased to announce that Integrated Health Projects (IHP), the contractors building the new NHS staff car park at Grindley Hill, have received a perfect score from the Considerate Constructors Scheme following a recent review.

Representatives from the scheme - which aims to boost positive change in the construction industry by establishing high standards - visited the new car park site on 7 September, and awarded IHP full marks (45/45) for “an excellent performance.”

The report, which focuses on three key areas - respect for the community, care for the environment, and value of the workforce - noted how the workforce “proactively engages with the local community” and “supports local charities and groups and promotes industry career opportunities.”

Reviewers were pleased to see that three pupils from the local high school completed periods of work experience, and commended contractors’ “goodwill” when they offered to de-ice driveways for neighbours and engaged with local fundraising initiatives such as National Oatcake Day.

The Trust and contractors are both committed to caring for the environment, and staff working at the new development were praised for their efforts in this area. For example, the report highlights that demolition waste has been crushed for reuse as site fill, and that push taps and LED lights are installed onsite to minimise waste.

The car park being developed at Grindley Hill is due to be complete by early May 2024, and will provide parking for local NHS staff. Members of the public can learn more about the project and ask a question to a member of the team at https://projectstar.uk.engagementhq.com/.

We’re pleased to be celebrating a building milestone at the new staff car park for the Royal Stoke Hospital.

Last week, the Trust was joined by construction firm IHP to mark the final layer of concrete being poured into the structure of the new car park. To commemorate the occasion, Lorraine Whitehead, Director of Estates, Facilities and PFI, poured the final layer of concrete on the top floor of the car park, off Hilton Road, at a topping out ceremony.

Bruce Bagnall, project manager at IHP, said: “I am pleased we have been able to come together to mark this significant moment in the construction of this new car park. The work has progressed at pace and I appreciate everyone’s hard work. We will keep up the momentum now until next year.

Lorraine said: “I am so pleased to celebrate this major milestone in the construction of our new staff car park. It’s taken a number of years for us to get to this point and to where the car park could become a reality. We are delighted with the progress so far and to come and see the size, scope and scale of it, is just incredible. I want to say a huge thank you and well done to everyone for getting to this point.”

The new car park will have 1,680 parking spaces and is due to open in early May 2024.

Work continues on the car park development at Grindley Hill. This image is an aerial shot of the site in June.

Work on Grindley Hill is progressing well. The image below shows the now erected steel frame of the car park.

On 17 April 2023, steel erection works will begin at Grindley Hill. This means residents can expect an increase of on-site activity as contractors require several more HGV vehicles and two cranes to undertake the work. We understand that some residents may have concerns about potential disruption, but please do be assured that a number of measures are being implemented to mitigate the impact of works:

✓ Traffic Management Plan – The Trust has worked closely with Stoke-on-Trent City Council to ensure that works do not disrupt local highways. This means HGVs will not be parking on Hilton Road and there will only be a limited number of vehicles allowed on site at one time.

✓ Security – Security on site will continue with 24/7 monitoring.

✓ Street and vehicle cleaning – Vehicle and wheel washing will continue as required.

✓ Dust and noise monitoring – The Trust continues to monitor dust and noise at the perimeter of the site to ensure they do not exceed expected levels.

We are committed to ensuring residents’ voices are heard and any queries are addressed in a timely matter. Please get in touch if you do have a question about upcoming works - you can submit it here.

Residents will be aware that the contractors are creating a new site entrance for Grindley Hill Court. This will be located where the second gates are, near to the Child Development Centre (CDC). Work has already been undertaken to divert some services, such as the mains power. At the end of this month, March 2023, the contractors plan to begin work on the formation of the new entrance, which will require additional traffic management diversions. This includes some potential re-routing of public footpaths.

Works should take approximately four weeks. Please note, this phase of junction work is a temporary arrangement. The new traffic lights and alterations to the central reservation of Hilton Road will be completed at a later date.

A new site entrance will mean the contractors are better positioned to support additional traffic flow for upcoming works at Grindley Hill, minimising disruption for local people. Residents should be assured that HGVs will not be parking on Hilton Road. Street and vehicle washing will also continue, as will the monitoring of dust and noise levels at the perimeter of the site, so that the Trust can be assured that they do not exceed expected levels.

UHNM has been informed by Severn Trent that Hilton Road will be partially closed from 28th November - 16th December 2022, due to a sewer diversion for Hilton House Care Home.

The road closure will be on the southbound section of Hilton Road between the junction of Ashlands Road and Oliver Road. There will only be access for residents and permit holders during works.

While these works have no relation to the Trust’s ongoing development at Grindley Hill Court, we would like to inform residents that construction vehicles travelling to and from Grindley Hill Court may need to use alternative routes during this period.

Residents can expect communication from Severn Trent shortly with further information on closures, including diversion routes.