HEALTH trust plans to introduce parking fees at the Gosport War Memorial Hospital car park have been met with outrage.

Bosses at Fareham and Gosport Primary Care Trust have announced they will pilot new fees for the currently free car park in Berry Road for three months this summer.

The charges will see patients paying 50p an hour, £1 for two hours, £2 for four hours and £5 for up to 12 hours.

The news has angered Elson ward councillor, Bruce Rigg who claims the trust is simply "jumping on the band wagon" because the Queen Alexandra Hospital in Cosham charges for parking.

He said: "I think it is totally wrong making patients pay. It is disgusting. I want to know what they are going to use the income for."

The scheme, to begin on July 4, will see the car park divided into areas for pay and display, disabled parking and staff parking as well as a 30-minute waiting zone.

The PCT said they are hoping to stop non-hospital visitors parking there for free.

Councillor Rigg thinks this is a smokescreen.

"That's what they've told us. But who would park there for free and then pay to catch a bus into town?" he said.

Councillor Peter Edgar, for Alverstoke in Gosport, said: "I think the fact they say they are doing it to stop people parking and riding from that car park is outrageous. It is unfair and dishonest."

Ann Smith, director of operational and corporate services with Fareham and Gosport PCT said: "We have taken this decision because the car park is being abused by people who do not use the hospital or health centre.

"We have consulted with staff and patients to help provide an alternative solution and will continue to involve them and local people in our plans during the three month pilot."

An evaluation of the charges will be carried out in October before the future course of action is decided upon.