STAFF at Savernake Hospital fighting for more parking spaces have drawn up a 118-name petition.

They say that they need their cars to get to the hospital which is in a rural location at the top of a steep hill and that cycling is an option only for the super fit. They also claim that the varying shifts worked by staff make car sharing difficult.

The new hospital which is due to open at the end of next month has 95 parking spaces.

This is considerably less than previously because, although the official number of spaces is about the same, at the old hospital there were a number of unofficial areas to park.

Kennet and North Wiltshire Primary Care Trust has been urging workers to find parking in the town rather than trying to leave their cars at the hospital.

The trust has identified a number of places in the town where staff can park for free, including the Youth Centre in St Margarets Mead, Cadet Centre in London Road, Rugby Club and Golf Club both on The Common.

Staff said that trust managers have also told them they could find parking on housing estates in the town.

The PCT is proposing to provide a ferry service for staff who park in town, using a mini bus currently taking hospital staff to Devizes where long-term patients were moved while the new hospital is built.

Hospital workers were reluctant to discuss parking openly.

The husband of one said: "My wife says that hospital workers have been told there will be no room for them to park at the hospital, only consultants, doctors and essential car users.

An ancillary worker who lives near Marlborough said: "The feeling is so strong that some people have said they will find new jobs if they can't park at the hospital."

The petition is being sent to the PCT, Kennet District Council and Wiltshire County Council.

A spokeswoman for the PCT said: "The trust has proposals in place to minimise the concerns and will react to specific issues as they arise."