Patients and visitors will now be able to travel to the hospital from the bus stop in Welshpool Road, alongside the Oxon Park and Ride site, for just £1.

This means parking at the Oxon site and getting the bus will actually be cheaper than parking at the hospital itself, where a day ticket costs £2.

Charges were first introduced at the hospital in the mid-1990s.

In January 2000, managers at the cash-strapped Royal Shrewsbury Hospital agreed to raise the fee from 60p to £1. And it was agreed to increase the rate to £2 in 2003.

Keith Myatt, communications and media relations manager for Arriva Midlands, said that the new park and ride service had been introduced because of the limited parking at the hospital.

Changes

Following improvements to the access road into the hospital grounds, the late afternoon journeys of the number 22 will also now be diverted so that the bus stops next to the outpatients department.

Mr Myatt said: “Following the recent tendering round for several local bus services in Shropshire and Powys, Arriva Midlands is delighted to introduce revised routes and timetables to routes in these areas.

“The changes being introduced show Arriva Midlands’ commitment to produce a reliable and robust network of local bus services throughout its operating area.”

To find out more about changes to Arriva bus services can call the traveline on 0870 6082608, or visit www.arrivabus.co.uk

Gordon Riley, speaking on behalf of the Friends of the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital, said: “Anything that might help patients and visitors to the hospital, instead of the system that is there now, would be welcomed.

“If there is a cheaper way of doing it, it would be valuable to lots of people.

“If it works as well as the Park and Ride for Shrewsbury itself, which is a great help to many people, it will be a good thing.”

No-one from the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital was available for comment today.

By Alys Cummings