Volunteer highlights severe delays for vulnerable patients
Persistent traffic queues around York Hospital are forcing some of the city’s most vulnerable residents to miss appointments, a local charity driver has warned. Dougie Weake, who volunteers for York Wheels, says congestion at the roundabout off Haxby Road has become the city’s most stubborn bottleneck, regularly turning short trips into hours-long ordeals for elderly and mobility-impaired passengers.
Weake, who drives for the service several times a week, told the Press that many of his passengers are in their nineties and struggle with long waits in stationary traffic. He described peak delays during hospital visiting times as particularly difficult, adding that queues often stretch back towards Gillygate.
“We often have to plan an hour ahead to account for traffic near the hospital,” he said. “Many of our passengers have hip and knee problems and sitting in a car for that length of time, especially in a heatwave, is just terrible for them.”
He said navigating the area can leave patients stranded outside the hospital after their appointments while he negotiates the same gridlock to reach them, stretching a routine visit into most of an afternoon.
Council says improvements are funded and in the pipeline
City of York Council acknowledged the long-standing congestion around the site and said it is working on solutions. According to the authority, a package of measures aimed at easing pressure on approaches to the hospital has already been funded and is being progressed. No timetable or specific interventions were detailed in the latest update, but officials indicated schemes are being brought forward.
Weake described traffic at the roundabout as “one in and one out”, making it difficult for volunteer drivers and taxis alike to move efficiently at busy times. Earlier this year, York’s MP urged action on hospital access and called for a Commons discussion on congestion around key sites, reflecting growing political attention on the issue.
Impact on access and patient experience
For residents who cannot use mainstream public transport, charities such as York Wheels provide a lifeline. The volunteer service supports people with mobility challenges to get to and from appointments, but persistent tailbacks are compounding pressures on patients, carers and drivers alike. During hot weather, prolonged waits pose additional discomfort and health risks for those with limited mobility.
Parking charges and limited capacity around the hospital have also been a source of local frustration, intensifying the need to improve traffic flow. While the council has signalled changes are coming, drivers and patients continue to face day‑to‑day disruption on the approaches.
Where the delays are most acute
| Location | Issue reported |
|---|---|
| Haxby Road roundabout (hospital turn-off) | Stop–start traffic, described as the city’s biggest bottleneck |
| Approach from Gillygate | Queues reported backing up during peak periods |
What patients and drivers can do in the meantime
Until the council’s measures take effect, drivers and patients may wish to allow extra time for journeys to and from the hospital, particularly around visiting hours when demand spikes. Charities and carers have been re‑routing where possible, though options are limited when multiple approaches are congested.
- Plan additional travel time for hospital appointments, especially at busy periods.
- Check appointment details in advance and inform clinics if delays appear likely.
- Consider drop‑off and pick‑up flexibility to reduce waiting in stationary traffic where safe and permitted.
“Once they are done with their appointments, some patients are left sitting at the hospital for me while I navigate the traffic – turning what was a simple appointment into a four-hour commute,” Weake said.
With summer conditions amplifying discomfort for passengers with joint problems, volunteers say swift action would ease pressure on frontline transport support and improve access to care. The council says its funded improvements are on the way; for now, the plea from those on the road is for relief at one of York’s most important gateways.
