The health trust in charge of Watford General Hospital has made more than £1.7 million in parking charges.

Patients and family members are forced to pay for parking when they visit Watford General Hospital, St Albans City Hospital and Hemel Hempstead General Hospital.

They pay £2 for one hour then £4 for up to two, £6 for three hours, £8 for four hours, £12 for six hours and £15 for up to 24 hours.

But the West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust has made £1.73 million in parking charges between April 2014 and March 2015.

Health bosses claim it helps to maintain the car parks, provide lighting and security and helps meet the cost of leasing the land.

Cllr Nigel Bell, leader of Watford Labour Group described the income as “disgraceful”.

“They should be doing all they can to make it easier for patients”, he said. “We think it should be free or a very minimal charge but not the sort of fee that it is at the moment.”

According to the figures obtained by the Press Association, the trust has made more money from parking charges than any other health trust in Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire or Buckinghamshire.

There is also half an hour’s free parking in selected bays and a weekly ticket costs £20.

Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust– which runs Mount Vernon Hospital – also made 1.73million.

Watford’s Elected Mayor Dorothy Thornhill said: “This income is a drop in the ocean compared to their deficit and the financial problems of the health trust.

“Although it hurts every time you pay when you go to park, they are in such a bad financial position it is hard for me to get upset about it.

“I want them to sort out their finances and start construction on their new buildings.”

The health trust is drawing up its plans for the Health Campus scheme and they are expected to be published next year.

Watford MP Richard Harrington Richard said: “Patients and their families and NHS staff shouldn’t have to deal with added stress from unfair parking charges.

“The government has asked trusts to follow guidelines for parking fees which include discounts for disabled people, carers, frequent patients, staff working out-of-hours and those who are gravely ill.

"I believe West Hertfordshire Hospitals Trust follows many of these guidelines.”

In a statement, the health trust said: “As an NHS trust, our responsibility is to ensure that money is spent on treating patients, not subsidising car parks.

“The service provided by contractors ensures the car park is managed safely. The team also assist visitors and ensure thoroughfares are not blocked and that people park appropriately.”