Southend Hospital is to fight the introduction of controversial parking plans designed to ease congestion problems around the hospital.
Angry - residents Sylvia and Graham Gentle, Monica McLaren, Sidney and Janis Prendergast and Keith McLaren, who have spoken out against Southend Council's plan to introduce £90 parking spaces outside their homes Picture: STEVE O'CONNELL
Staff have made clear their opposition to the scheme to make residents living in the Prittlewell Chase area pay £90 a year to park one vehicle and £120 for a second.
The hospital trust board has been advised to reject the scheme, which has caused uproar among residents in more than 20 roads who may not even be guaranteed a space.
An internal consultation has been carried out allowing staff to express their views, and the hospital's director of facilities Paul Kingsmore said: "A clear view opposing these proposals was put forward by staff."
A member of staff, who wished to remain anonymous, said: "The hospital is proposing its own scheme, which may help the problem, but obviously staff would like to be able to park as close by as possible and without having to put our hands in our pockets.
"I feel for the residents. This just doesn't seem to be the best solution."
Published Thursday March 4, 2004
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