THE opening of a new multi-storey car park at Taunton's Musgrove Park Hospital has been delayed.

Instead of opening in September as originally planned, work on the car park is now seven or eight weeks behind, and it will not open until the end of October at the earliest.

The delay has been caused after the wrong louvre wooden panels - designed to make the structure less intrusive on the hospital's neighbours - were delivered.

They were specially made for the project, but contractors Q-Park were not satisfied with them and sent them back to the manufacturer.

A spokesman said: "Q-Park can confirm the planned opening of the new 736-space multi-storey car park has been delayed.

"We deeply regret the new car park opening will be delayed for seven or eight weeks, and we're working closely with our partners, the hospital trust, and the building and services contractors, and material suppliers, to reduce the delay as much as possible."

The car park has been designed to be as visually unobtrusive as possible on surrounding streets, which is why the louvre panels were chosen.

There will also be natural stone walls and illuminated artwork.

The Q-Park spokesman added: "We recognise the urgent need for the car park and the resultant alleviation in traffic congestion in the area, but at the same time we must provide the Trust with the facility as it was originally designed.

"We will not be cutting corners for either time or financial benefits."

All affected staff have been written to personally explaining the delay and outlining alternative measures being put in place in the interim.