SOME of Colchester Hospital’s frontline staff are considering leaving over changes to parking, it has been claimed.

Last month the hospital announced staff will have to have to apply through a needs-based system to park there.

There are around 3,000 permit holders and only 1,000 spaces.

The hospital has made a number of changes to the parking system, including getting rid of the parking barrier and installing a licence plate recognition system.

Staff will have to apply online for a permit and permits will be prioritised based on issues such as location and family commitments.

But some of those working at the hospital say if they are without a permit, they will feel unsafe having to walk to work.

A porter at the hospital, who did not wish to be named, said: “We will have to walk as there are no buses for the time we work.

“On a Sunday the first bus to get me in is too late for my start time.

“I have paid for parking for the past eight years. What people do not know is we walk for most of our shift which could be 15 miles upwards.

“There are many staff and volunteers thinking of leaving.”

A spokesman for the hospital said: “We aim to reduce the number of permits by a third and the fairest way to do this is by introducing a needs-based assessment which gives priority to staff who require a parking permit the most.

“The assessment includes criteria such as the distance staff have to travel between home and work, their shift patterns and on-call duties, caring responsibilities away from work and disabilities.

“We are confident those staff not deemed eligible for a permit will be able to make alternative transport arrangements and are supporting them with a range of initiatives.”

Staff will be offered a half price discount for Colchester Park and Ride tickets, and a 25 per cent discount off Greater Anglia rail season tickets for journeys to and from Colchester and Ipswich, a car share scheme and personalised travel plans.

The spokesman added: “We are happy to talk with staff about their concerns and possible alternatives to driving and they are entitled to appeal should they not be deemed eligible for a permit.”