NEARLY 3,000 Durham University staff will have to pay to park at work under proposals being considered by their bosses.

The university plans to introduce charging at its car parks to tackle a shortage of spaces, ease congestion and improve security.

If the plans get final approval, staff will pay an annual charge based on their salary from January.

In the first year, people earning up to £11,999 will pay £26 while the charge in the £12,000 to £24,999 band will be £52. People earning more than £25,000 will pay £78.

By August 2005, the university plans to increase the charges to £90, £150 and £270 respectively.

Workers are charged for parking at University Hospital, at Durham Police's headquarters and on-street charges apply in the city centre.

Staff opposed to the charges wrote to The Northern Echo anonymously for fear of reprisals for speaking publicly. They said: "The main issue that staff have is the significant charges being proposed.

"After the third year of charging, for instance, staff within the highest band will be expected to pay £270.

"Yet this does not guarantee them a parking space, rather it gives them the right to hunt for a space.

"The strength of feeling amongst staff is considerable, with people stating that they will flatly refuse to pay the fees and instead will park on grass verges, side streets and residential estates to avoid paying.

"There had been a cursory attempt to give the impression that members of staff have been consulted."

Dr Nigel Martin, president of the university's Association of University Teachers branch, said there was concern about the impact on lower paid back-up staff.