THE row over car parking charges in Hereford has reignited after it was revealed that council staff get a huge discount compared to everyone else.

Some motorists are questioning why council staff are paying just £1.10 a day to park their vehicles in the city centre when other workers and shoppers have to pay at least £5 for the same period to park their vehicles in council car parks.

John Hewitt, from Kingsland, has questioned why parking for council staff is subsidised at the Town Hall car park.

“What annoys me is that council staff can be treated differently to people who work in the city. There is a disparity between the two which is striking.”

At the Town Hall car park, which is reserved for council employees on weekdays, staff pay 30p for up to an hour, 50p for three hours, 70p for five hours and £1.10 for over five hours.

When the Town Hall car park is open to the public on Saturdays, shoppers are charged £1.20 an hour, £2.20 for two hours, £3.60 for three hours £4.60 for four hours and £6 for up to 24 hours. Opposite the Town Hall car park the Gaol Street site charges £1.30 per hour Monday to Saturday rising to £6 for up to four hours and £13 for over six hours.

Merton Meadow car park is the cheapest all day parking facility in the city at £4 if a ticket is bought before 8am and £5 afterwards.

A Council spokesperson said: “In 2013, we introduced a staff parking policy and introduced staff and visitor parking charges at its private staff car parks which operate Monday to Friday.

“The charges are reviewed and the policy is designed to encourage staff to use more sustainable modes of transport such as walking, cycling and public transport and to help reduce congestion and CO2 emissions.”