MEDICS could stop working at a Glasgow hospital if a new parking zone is introduced, critics have warned.

Thousands of East End residents have signed a petition calling for plans to combat drivers causing congestion in Dennistoun and Royston to be scrapped.

The council, which says the proposal would alleviate “intrusive commuter parking” around Glasgow Royal Infirmary, is considering a zone after requests from some residents.

But the petition, signed by over 1200 people, states permits would be an “unfair charge”.

“This is in no way helping solve any issues and blaming the GRI as one of the main reasons for parking issues is solvable,” it adds. “Make parking at the hospital free to its workers and this would then free up on-street parking within the Dennistoun and Royston areas.”

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Permits would cost £85 per year for residents and £650 per year for businesses. Residents’ visitors could get a permit, for six hours, at a cost of £2.

Glasgow Tories leader Thomas Kerr, an East End councillor, said both residents and hospital staff, who “face prohibitive charges to park at their place of work”, have criticised the plan. “Some staff have already warned that the scheme will drive medics away from working at the hospital and that there is no alternative to taking the car for night shifts.”

“My serious concern is over the huge impact this measure will have on local businesses and now hit staff who travel far and wide from the Royal Infirmary who look after our city.

“From the car park tax to Sunday parking charges in our city centre and now these proposals, the SNP administration in Glasgow is sending a message that car users are not welcome in our city.

“Such a strategy does little to encourage people onto more sustainable forms of transport but rather serves to deter investment and job creation in Glasgow.”

Responding to Mr Kerr on social media, Dennistoun representative Allan Casey said he had received a significant number of requests for a parking zone from residents. “Commuter parking is a severe problem in the area for residents,” he said. Mr Casey said he had been working with hospital staff to find a solution to their issues.

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NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde does not control costs at the hospital car park, a private finance initiative owned by Imagile Car Parking and managed by Apcoa, which offers incentives to staff.

“We subsidise 941 parking permits for staff who are required to bring their car to work as they work across a number of sites,” an NHS spokeswoman said.

“There are also other incentives that staff can agree locally with Apcoa including special reduced nightly rates and reduced monthly tariffs. Staff should approach Apcoa direct for more information on reduced cost incentives.

“While NHSGGC has no authority or responsibility for on-street car parking and have no authority to monitor parking on public roads we would support any of our staff who have been either verbally or physically abused by local residents or had their car damaged to report any incidents to the police.”

Council officers will be at Royston Library from 2pm to 7pm on July 24 to discuss the proposals.

They will also be at Dennistoun Library on July 25 from 2pm to 7pm and July 27 from 10am to 1pm.