NHS Lothian say they are "exploring any opportunity" to improve parking at St John's Hospital in Livingston .
Edinburgh Live reported this week that a petition which calls for a multi-storey car park to be built on the site has been gathering momentum.
So far there have been more than 2500 signatures, with a number of people expressing concerns at the lack of access for both staff and patients .
Labour MSP Neil Findlay launched the petition and he says that he has been "inundated" with letters from people worried about the situation at the hospital.
He added that this was even leading to tensions between staff, businesses and local residents.
Petition calls for multi-storey car park to be built at St John's Hospital in Livingston
He said: “Over the last few months I have been inundated with letters and emails from staff, patients and local residents about the parking chaos at St John’s.
"Many staff have had parking permits withdrawn and the streets and industrial estates around the hospital are full, causing tensions between staff, businesses and local people.
"NHS Lothian have said they have been considering options with a multi storey car park one of the options.
"My petition is gaining a lot of support – it calls on the Scottish Government to fund the provision of such a facility at the hospital to alleviate the growing problems associated with parking there. I hope your readers will sign the petition.”
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Aris Tyrothoulakis, site director of St John’s Hospital, said that they are looking to improve parking access, adding: “We are working closely with our staff to explore any opportunity to improve access on the St John’s Hospital site.
“We have put in place a number of measures, including introducing a corporate travel discount scheme with First Bus, securing off-site parking at the Livingston football stadium, and promoting our car share and active travel intitiatives.
“We have invested in additional parking spaces, however we are restricted in the number of spaces allowed on our sites. "
A spokesperson for the Scottish Government said: “Parking is a matter for individual health boards to consider, taking into account the needs of staff, patients and visitors.”
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