Construction work will begin this weekend (March 30) on an undercover drop-off zone at Withybush Hospital which is part of a scheme to improve amenities, traffic flow, and pedestrian safety for patients, visitors and staff. The new scheme will create a one-way traffic system at the front of the hospital and includes a six-bay undercover public drop-off zone for patients and visitors, on-site bus-stop, additional pelican crossings plus extra car parking spaces. The work will mean the temporary closure of the main entrance to Withybush Hospital from March 30 for some six weeks. During this time, a temporary hospital entrance will be created through the current Rehabilitation Day Hospital which is located to the right of the main entrance between the A&E department and the helipad. This temporary entrance will be clearly signposted for staff, patients and visitors and a temporary reception area will be set up to help. Signage will also be erected to direct people to the main hospital departments and wards from the temporary entrance and WRVS staff will be on hand to help patients and visitors during the working week, with car park attendants to aid traffic flows. The current ambulance and A&E entrance will remain open for emergency services and the taxis and pick-up/drop-off points will be outside the main Rehabilitation Day Hospital entrance. Said the director of operations for Pembrokeshire & Derwen NHS Trust, Mrs. Mags Barnaby: "These improvements may cause some inconvenience for a short period of time, but will ultimately result in much improved facilities and safety for people using Withybush Hospital. We are therefore very grateful for everyone's patience while the work is carried out." Once completed, the road improvement scheme will create: • An undercover lighted pathway from the main entrance to the new outpatients entrance with six public drop-off spaces for visitors and relatives. • A one-way traffic system which enters from the Fishguard Road and exits onto the retail park road. The road between the two main car parks will also be one-way. This will reduce hazards created by cars manoeuvring at the main entrance. • A new on-site bus stop for visitors with pelican crossings leading across the car park to the undercover canopy. • Two designated drop-off zones for emergency vehicles and ambulance patient transport services. • A bespoke drop-off point for large goods vehicles • Improved car parking with an extra 57 car parking spaces. The scheme is being carried out in partnership with Pembrokeshire County Council and is funded by Welsh Assembly Government.
