Decision to spare Inverness trees paves way for new Raigmore Hospital bus link
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SUPPORT is growing for a planned new bus lane to connect Raigmore Hospital and a nearby housing estate.
A planning application from NHS Highland (NHSH) to build a barrier controlled bus and emergency service vehicle road between the Inverness hospital and Ashton Road in Raigmore housing estate is being considered by Highland Council.
Previous attempts at similar routes raised concerns among residents on the housing estate, who were furious after discovering mature trees might be removed to make way for the road.
The trees, some said to be hundreds of years old, form the boundary between the estate and Raigmore Hospital.
But after talks between NHSH, Highland Council and bus company Stagecoach the trees have been saved.
Raigmore Community Council is strongly supporting the plan.
Chairman Munro Ross said: “The community council is pleased that discussions between all interested parties has resulted in a revised route which avoids the need for any long-standing trees to be cut down.
“The community council has long campaigned for the improvement in bus services that are required for the residents, many of whom have never driven a car or are no longer able to do so.
“In addition, the problem for emergency service vehicles having only an entrance off Millburn Road has been an area of concern, especially with the high traffic levels seen on Old Perth Road which frequently cause delays to them accessing houses in the estate, especially at the community centre end, where there are many senior citizens and/or disabled people who may need an emergency service vehicle promptly.”
The bus gate would allow buses to run from the estate through the hospital site to Old Perth Road.
It is required as a planning condition for the construction of an NHS development at Inverness Campus, to mitigate the impact on the transport network.
It is funded by the Scottish Government’s bus rapid deployment fund.
A planning statement from the applicants said: “The national, regional and emerging local policy contexts clearly outline that active travel and public transport need to be prioritised so that people can live healthier, safer lives, and that the harmful impacts to the climate caused by car-dependent travel can be reduced.
“This proposal will provide better bus service provision for the city and wider region, will increase frequency for the local area, and will pave the way for future potential projects delivering strategic change for buses across the network.
“This application also presents an opportunity for Highland to demonstrate its commitment to supporting sustainable travel and tackling the climate and ecological emergency.
“This route will have a longer-term and lasting environmental benefit by mitigating the impact of climate change caused by unsustainable transport.”
Regional transport partnership HiTrans is also supporting the plan. Partnership director Ranald Robertson said: “Delivery of this crucial project is needed to both realise the significant benefits to public transport in the city and also send a strong signal that local partners are serious about delivering against commitments to reduce congestion and achieving carbon reduction targets.
“Delivery of this project will also increase the likely success of Highland Council in receiving further funding from the £500 million bus partnership fund allowing continued progress towards delivering those commitments.”
