A controversial new parking permit scheme at a town college has been met with anger by staff, with unions calling for a meeting to iron out the details.
The new scheme is being considered by bosses at Shrewsbury College and would see staff living in the SY2 5 and SY2 6 postcode areas being prevented from buying £5 permits in a bid to reduce the college’s carbon footprint.
But following the release of the proposed policy on the college’s intranet, staff living in the SY5 and SY6 areas believe they would be affected by the scheme – despite some living as far afield as Minsterley and Church Stretton.
Officials at the Universities and Colleges Union and UNISON have pledged to meet with the college’s human and physical resources director, Richard Banks, to discuss the proposals, which will take effect from September.
But Mr Banks has insisted the restrictions will apply only to those living close to the London Road site.
Bob Hill, UCU college representative, said: “As unions we have not been involved in the discussions on this, and we have both requested a meeting with Richard Banks to discuss it. We are not against a parking permit scheme but it would have been nice to be consulted.”
Mr Banks said: “The areas excluded from permits are those closest to the college – it’s SY2 5 and SY2 6 not SY5 and SY6.”
Meanwhile, union officials have reacted angrily after college bosses refused to halt a consultation process with around 20 members of staff over a voluntary redundancy scheme, revealed in last week’s Chronicle.
Mr Hill said: “The principal has responded to our letter by saying people need to express their wishes and that they are carrying on with their process. We wanted to meet first before any discussions with staff went ahead.”
Mr Banks said: “We are happy to meet with the union but we believe it would be beneficial to know the wishes of individuals beforehand.”
By Peter Kitchen