TOWN Hall staff and councillors could be forced to pay for parking under a major review of Bournemouth council's travel policies.

The removal of parking permits from all staff except those who need their car for work has already been agreed by councillors.

And a working group has been set up to consider whether extra measures - including the introduction of parking charges - are needed.

The council is adopting a "carrot and stick" approach in its bid to get staff out of their cars; the incentive being a 20 per cent discount on Yellow Buses.

But a union official claims the reallocation of permits could lead to problems retaining staff.

David Higgins, branch secretary of Bournemouth Unison, believes introducing parking charges will "antagonise staff at a time when we are facing budget cuts, an organisational review and an accommodation strategy".

He urged cabinet members to consider offering staff the option of home working and buying pool cars instead - ideas that will both be considered by the working group.

Roger Ball, head of technical services at the council, said removing permits and introducing charges would be unpopular with staff but pointed out that very few town centre employees benefit from free parking.

He said both JPMorgan and Bournemouth University had recently introduced parking charges for staff and added it was important that the council set a good example to the rest of the town.

Cllr John Hayter, cabinet member for the environment, said: "There's a general understanding now of the council's need to establish a robust travel plan.

"These recommendations are really quite modest but quite effective I think, if they are supported."

First published: October 22