New Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) System at Royal Surrey County Hospital | News
New Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) System at Royal Surrey County Hospital
A new parking system is set to launch at Royal Surrey County Hospital on Thursday, 8 May 2025. The Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system will replace the current parking process, offering a smoother and more convenient experience for visitors.
The ANPR system is barrier-free and works by capturing the registration number of every vehicle as it enters and exits the hospital grounds. The system is linked to on-site payment machines, allowing visitors to pay for their parking when they are ready to leave, based on the exact amount of time they’ve spent at the hospital.
This change means visitors no longer need to guess how long they will be at the hospital when they arrive, making the parking process simpler and more accurate.
Tom White, Royal Surrey’s Director of HR with executive responsibility for estates and facilities, said: "The introduction of ANPR will enhance the parking experience for both patients and visitors. We understand that it can be difficult to predict the length of time for an appointment or visit. With ANPR, patients and visitors will only pay for the time they actually spend at the hospital, without worrying about parking tickets running out."
New payment machines are being installed in the front entrance lobby, Cedar Centre and Day Surgery Unit with more being planned for a later date subject to feedback. To pay, visitors will simply need to enter their registration number at the machines. There will be no need to pay in advance or display a ticket in the car. Payment options include cash, card, contactless and a free downloadable app.
Visitors can drop off and pick up passengers for up to 20 minutes without charge.
The introduction of ANPR will not affect free parking for registered Blue Badge holders or concessions for other patient and visitor groups. Those eligible for free parking will need to register their vehicle at a validation terminal in the hospital when they visit, or they can register online for a long-term permit.
Further details about the new system, including the location of validation terminals and instructions about how to register blue badges online will be available on our website under the ‘Getting Here’ section in due course.