You've heard of the postcode lottery of care--now it's the postcode lottery of cars.

Unlucky staff who live within a mile of Winchester city centre are to be barred from parking at the Royal Hampshire County Hospital.

The restriction zone, based on postcodes, should free up 40 spaces for the use of patients and visitors.

The cost of staff-parking permits will go up to 30p per day-- a 5p increase--to further "discourage staff from driving to work."

A new barrier to "deter staff access" on level six of the multi-storey car park is also planned.

The drastic measures follow a string of failed attempts to persuade staff to abandon their cars in favour of green transport.

Cycle-to-work weeks, car-share schemes and even a month of free bus travel--ideas pioneered by a special transport working group--have all been unsuccessful.

The public also faces a 40% increase in parking charges--the first hike for three and a half years. It will soon cost £2.10 to park for two to three hours.

The increases cover inflation as well as new ticket machines, barrier and an extra car park attendant.

Brian Cambridge, facilities manager, told a meeting of the Winchester and Eastleigh NHS Trust: "Parking has become increasingly difficult for patients, staff and visitors.

"Staff are forced to use visitor and patient only parking areas because the staff areas fill up early in the day.

"This causes a great deal of anxiety for all concerned, particularly for patients trying to keep their appointment time."

Staff will be exempt if they need to drive as part of their job; if they have "exceptional family circumstances"; work rotational shifts or have a medical condition.

But trust member, Mary Sabben-Clare, warned that the restriction may force staff to leave which could have serious consequences for patient care.

"I'm very nervous that no alternative means have been found apart from telling people who live within one mile that they can't park," she said.

Roger Farrow, manager of clinical and diagnostic services, said: "People have structured their lives around the internal combustion engine and will not voluntarily give it up."