A 'green' travel plan to combat congestion around the new Newton Abbot Hospital has sparked controversy. While elements such as a new £1 shuttle bus and promoting cycling have been announced without generating public comment, the introduction of car parking charges has prompted a cool response (see Letters Page 8). A reader told this newspaper that the move was 'immoral and indefensible'. Devon Primary Care Trust has said charging was required to stop drivers abusing the facility. It is concerned that if parking were free, people would use the site when not visiting the hospital, due to open on January 12. Project manager Dave Rollason said: 'Car parking charges are being introduced, along with our green travel plan, which is part of the planning requirement for the new hospital. 'We have paid £150,000 towards the infrastructure including roads, crossings and the subsidised bus service between the town centre and the hospital. 'There is a lot of congestion at the current hospital car park in East Street and no way of managing access to the car parking provided for patients. 'Charging is the fairest way of managing the service and mirrors the policy of local authorities and the practice at other hospitals.' Concerns have been expressed by the hospital's league of friends. President Hilary Paddon said her 60 members could be penalised for working voluntarily. 'There are a few spaces there for us, but we have to share those with the consultants and if they are being used my members will have to pay to park,' she said. 'I've been told that if we don't pay we could be fined. We do the teas every afternoon and are also being asked now to take patients to various clinics so we could be there for several hours. 'I can understand to some extent why the trust says it has to charge but I'm worried that some people will stop volunteering. 'It may be that some of the money we raise will have to be spent on paying parking charges.' The hospital travel plan promotes alternatives to the car and staff have been offered the chance to buy bicycles. Income from the car park will, after costs, be invested in 'general health care service'.