Patients at Romford's main hospital have been told to get public transport after "essential" improvement works to its car park were announced.

Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust (BHRUT) yesterday (June 18) announced Queen's Hospital's car park of more than 1,100 spaces will shut from late July.

Patients have been "strongly advised" by BHRUT to use public transport to get to Queen's Hospital from July 20 to September 14 this year.

A trust spokesperson said: "For the first three weeks, the car park will be closed and more than 1,100 spaces will be unavailable.

"It will then reopen in stages. Based on usage last summer, the first three weeks will be the only time when we won’t have enough spaces to meet demand."

Works include resurfacing, adding pedestrian walkways, improved lighting and doors.

Sean Greene, BHRUT director of estates and facilities, said: “We recognise that this essential upgrade to our car park will cause significant disruption to our patients, visitors and staff.

“Our message is clear: don’t drive to Queen’s Hospital if you can get in by other means."

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BHRUT clarified that blue badge parking and arrangements for cancer patients will be unaffected during the works.

All other patients should travel by alternative means, the trust added.

Drop off points are available outside A&E, maternity and near the hospital's main entrance.