VISITORS and outpatients to community hospitals across Teignbridge will soon be forced to fork out for car parking.
Devon Primary Care Trust, which has introduced parking charges at the recently-opened Newton Abbot Hospital, is bringing in pay-and-display at hospitals it manages in the county.
That includes Ashburton, Bovey Tracey, Dawlish, Moretonhampstead and Teignmouth.
In a statement on Tuesday, Dave Rollason, Devon PCT's project manager, said early discussions were taking place about 'the possibility of introducing car parking charges at Teignmouth Community Hospital and other community hospitals in Devon'.
But a question and answer leaflet posted in November on the PCT's website states: 'Car parking charges are already in place at hospitals in Tiverton, Crediton, Okehampton and Totnes. They are being introduced at Newton Abbot as part of the Devon PCT's green transport plan.
'In the coming months a pay-and-display system will be introduced at the remaining community hospitals managed by Devon PCT'.
On Monday, Mr Rollason said the PCT was committed to promoting environmentally friendly ways of travelling to and from its hospitals.
'A green travel plan will be rolled out across Devon in 2009 to encourage people to make use of greener methods of transport. This is part of a national drive to reduce carbon emissions.
'The income, after costs, would be reinvested in local health care services.
'We would also ensure that regular attendees to the hospital would be able to apply for a temporary permit. Blue badge holders and members of the voluntary sector, including the league of friends, would be exempt,' added Mr Rollason.
It brought an immediate response from councillors.
The mayor of Ashburton, Cllr Tony Pugh, said he would be raising the matter at the next town council meeting.
'Speaking personally I think any charges incurred while people are at their lowest ebb in hospital is wrong, particularly in cottage hospitals where people have no alternative but to drive.
'This seems to be a gross imposition,' said Cllr Pugh.
At Bovey Tracey, the chairman of the town council's finance and general purposes committee, Cllr George Gribble, said he was disappointed charges would be introduced.
He said: 'A lot of these community hospitals were built by local people at their expense on land donated by local people. I think it is dreadful that these people come in and tell you what to do.
'As a council we have not been consulted and I will be bringing it up at the next meeting.'
Cllr David Cox, a district councillor backed by Teignmouth mayor Cllr Fred Tooley, has written to Devon PCT's chief executive, Dr Kevin Snee, calling for the plans to be scrapped.