Students at the £14m Royal Cornwall Hospital Knowledge Spa, which opened in September, say no parking provision has been made for them.

The spa's manager said it was made clear from the start that it was promoting greener and public transport.

But students say it is unrealistic because many live in areas with bad transport links.

When you car share, there's no guarantee of a space Amanda Wiseman, student

The spa is the Cornwall campus for the Peninsula Medical School and the University of Plymouth's Faculty of Health and Social Work.

The centre said it expected students to use public transport, cycle or walk.

Some students are using the hospital's pay and display car park which is causing difficulties for patients and visitors.

Site Services manager Judy Rowe said: "The main problem is that the car park has been full by about 9.15am by students.

"We've had distressed patients and visitors unable to come onto the site, resulting in appointments not being met."

Spa manager Paul Robinson said: "There's possibly a culture change involved. We've got to make people realise that car-sharing is the way of the future, as well as public transport and other alternatives to cars."

However, students said that even car-sharing was hit-and-miss.

Parking provided is based on a maximum number rather than a minimum number of spaces Karl Roberts, Carrick District Council

Second-year mental health nursing student Amanda Wiseman said: "Some people park in residential streets, some use Truro College, which they shouldn't; or local shop car parks. And when you do car share, there's no guarantee of a space."

Karl Roberts, from Carrick District Council, said: "Government policy is to try and ensure other forms of access to sites is developed.

"There is a level of car parking provided, but it's based on a maximum number rather than a minimum number of spaces."

Cornwall County Council has applied for a grant for a nearby park-and-ride scheme, but that could take up to a year.

Students have been warned in the meantime, if they park on the site, they will be clamped.