STAFF at Chorley hospital claim a barrier erected to stop parking in residential areas has added half an hour on to their journey to work.

Many members of staff live in Astley Village and could previously walk a few yards to work via the maternity unit entrance.

But now bosses have built a barrier which forces them to take a half hour detour.

A member of clerical staff who did not wish to be named said: "I bought my house in Astley Village because it meant I could walk to work in a couple of minutes.

"None of us were consulted about the barrier, and we weren't given any prior notice.

"Now I have to walk all the way around Highfield Road, along Preston Road and all the way round the hospital.

"It means I can't nip home for my lunch and when I'm working late, I have to walk there in the dark.

"It doesn't look like they've thought it through at all."

The barrier was built to stop people parking in Rookwood and the surrounding streets, which have suffered from parking problems for several years. Astley Village councillor Mark Perks said: "This measure seems to have been implemented to prevent visitors and employees arriving by car and parking on Rookwood Ave.

"These employees have been complaining to the Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust at Preston and have been told that no way will it be changed.

"There has been no local consultation by the trust, it's a measure to actually discourage walking to work"

Ian Cox, the trust's director of facilities and services, said: "The trust has installed a new barrier at Rookwood Avenue in an effort to discourage staff and visitors to Chorley and South Ribble Hospital from parking outside the homes of local residents and causing a nuisance. This is in response to concerns from residents, councillors and the local MP.

"We realise that the new barrier will inconvenience pedestrians who genuinely walk or cycle to work. However, staff were warned on a number of occasions that we would be forced to install a new gate if they continued to park inconsiderately and that this would deprive those staff and visitors who chose to walk or cycle from using this route.

"We would once again like to apologise to residents in the area for any upset and inconvenience caused by staff and visitors to the hospital parking outside their homes. We hope the new barrier will resolve the issue.

"The trust would also like to reassure people that the new barrier will still provide emergency access to the site when required."