CRITICS say plans to introduce parking charges at a popular library will unfairly penalise hundreds of elderly users.

People will soon have to pay to use Wanstead Library's car park, in Spratt Hall Road, after the council said it would bring in new restrictions at the site.

Wanstead Library is the only one in the borough earmarked for the charges - with opponents claiming the move is nothing but a stealth tax on pensioners who have no other means of accessing the facility.

The council claims the charges are being introduced to prevent commuters leaving their cars at the library all day, but Derek Matthew, 82, of Grosvenor Road, believes it is simply a money-making scheme.

He said: "This is a bad idea which will put alot of people off using the library at all.

"Lots of older people have no other option but to drive to the library because they are not very mobile but don't have a disabled parking badge.

"If they are only doing this to stop commuters parking there then why don't they just give library users vouchers to put in their cars instead, rather than introduce a blanket charge?"

Michael O'Hynes, 79, of Church Path, Wanstead, said the plan - which will also include the roll out of parking charges at several green spaces across the borough, such as Ray Park, in Woodford Green - is completely unjustified.

He said: "This will affect lots of elderly people.

"I can walk to the library from where I live, but lots of other people can't from where they are.

"Times are tough enough for people at the moment and this extra cost won't help.

"There's surely another way to stop commuters parking there, like introducing a time restriction or something?"

Robin Da Bora, who works in Wanstead High Street, said: "Libraries and parks are among the last free things that people can use now.

"By introducing these charges the council is giving with one hand and taking away with the other."

A council spokeswoman said: "The introduction of car parking charges in some of Redbridge’s parks, open spaces and libraries was approved as part of the budgetary process for the year 2009-10. While the meters are now in place, no charges will be applicable until the appropriate signage is in place and notification has been given.

"The final details of the charges are still being finalised. Once in place, the revenue generated from the charges will be re-invested into parks. The car parks affected are - Valentines Park, Fairlop Waters, Seven Kings Park, Goodmayes Park, Clayhall Park, Ray Park, Barkingside Recreational Ground and Wanstead Library."