DUDLEY North Conservative hopeful Marco Longhi has welcomed the Tory manifesto promise to bring in more free hospital parking.

The Conservative candidate has been campaigning to end hospital car parking charges at Russells Hall Hospital and has launched a petition calling for charges to be scrapped.

The Conservatives have pledged to end hospital car parking charges for all NHS staff on night shifts, as well as disabled and terminally ill patients and their families, should they be re-elected on December 12.

Mr Longhi, who formerly served as mayor of Walsall, has welcomed the announcement.

He said: “It is fantastic news that the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson has made a firm commitment in the Conservative Party manifesto which will end unfair hospital car parking charges by making parking free for those in greatest need, including disabled people, frequent outpatient attenders, parents of sick children staying overnight and our hardworking NHS staff working night shifts.

“This move will eliminate costs for those in need, while making sure there are enough spaces for everyone and is exactly what I have been campaigning on behalf of local people who have repeatedly told me that current parking arrangements at Russells Hall, are both unfair and needs to change."

Mr Longhi's petition can be signed here: https://www.marcolonghi.org.uk/parkingpetition

Dudley North is also being contested by Melanie Dudley for Labour, Liberal Democrat Ian Flynn and Green Party candidate Mike Harrison.