Stringfellow dancers fear for their safety on buses

Dancers working in the West End told today how they fear being attacked if they are forced to take public transport in the early hours.

The women said the proposed parking changes will mean some will be forced to give up their jobs or risk their safety by taking night buses home.

Nightclub owner Peter Stringfellow has written to council leaders urging them to "think again". Marilyn Massiah, 25, a, dancer at Stringfellow's Angels club in Soho, said: "I drive in every day from Croydon. When we heard about it a lot of girls were worried because they can't afford to pay £20 a night.

"Walking miles to get to your car or a licensed minicab is dangerous in the morning. Whereas now we can park outside work, we'll have to walk to park in Camden because that will be the only place that is free, and it's not safe.

"We won't be able to work in the West End. A lot of girls will think about changing jobs."

Lara Howard, 25, another dancer at the club, said: "If you come into work on your own it's scary enough walking to your car if it's just up the road. But if you've got to park far away it's a nightmare. If it comes in I won't be able to work in the West End."

Diana Velichkova, 28, a croupier at Napoleons casino in Leicester Square who travels in from Leyton, said: "I wouldn't feel safe to get the night bus on my own when I finish at 4am. People are coming out of clubs at that time drunk and there are often fights."

Mr Stringfellow recently told the Standard the moves would cost "hundreds of jobs". Lee Rowley, Westminster's cabinet member for parking and transport, said: "I understand their position and we will look carefully at the impact of these new policies. Most people working in central London have to pay to travel to work, or pay to park, and there is secure parking within five minutes of every casino in the West End and free parking within walking distance of these venues.".

The women said the proposed parking changes will mean some will be forced to give up their jobs or risk their safety by taking night buses home. Nightclub owner Peter Stringfellow has written to council leaders urging them to "think again".

Marilyn Massiah, 25, a, dancer at Stringfellow's Angels club in Soho, said: "I drive in every day from Croydon. When we heard about it a lot of girls were worried because they can't afford to pay £20 a night.

"Walking miles to get to your car or a licensed minicab is dangerous in the morning. Whereas now we can park outside work, we'll have to walk to park in Camden because that will be the only place that is free, and it's not safe.

"We won't be able to work in the West End. A lot of girls will think about changing jobs." Lara Howard, 25, another dancer at the club, said: "If you come into work on your own it's scary enough walking to your car if it's just up the road. But if you've got to park far away it's a nightmare. If it comes in I won't be able to work in the West End."

Diana Velichkova, 28, a croupier at Napoleons casino in Leicester Square who travels in from Leyton, said: "I wouldn't feel safe to get the night bus on my own when I finish at 4am. People are coming out of clubs at that time drunk and there are often fights."

Mr Stringfellow recently told the Standard the moves would cost "hundreds of jobs". Lee Rowley, Westminster's cabinet member for parking and transport, said: "I understand their position and we will look carefully at the impact of these new policies.

Most people working in central London have to pay to travel to work, or pay to park, and there is secure parking within five minutes of every casino in the West End and free parking within walking distance of these venues."