Controversial proposals for new bus link at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness to be recommended for approval by Highland councillors
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Controversial plans to create a bus gate at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness will be recommended for approval by Highland councillors next week.
The application is for a new 180m section of road from Churchill Road and Ashton Road to link with the existing hospital road network and to be used by buses and emergency vehicles only.
The bus gate was a planning condition for the new National Treatment Centre being developed at Inverness Campus although the requirement goes back to 2011 when planning permission in principle was granted for the original campus development.
The aim is to improve bus services between the city centre and east Inverness.
But the proposals ran into strong opposition from nearby residents, citing the felling of mature trees and a detrimental impact on neighbours, plus a lack of consultation.
Opponents also query whether there is a demand for more bus services in the neighbourhood.
The application – which attracted 54 responses of which 49 were against – will be recommended for approval at the South Planning Applications Committee on Tuesday.
A report by planning officers states objections include increased traffic and pollution, a negative impact on staff occupying satellite buildings in the hospital grounds, and that the proposed route will not tackle the climate emergency.
But supporters say an increased number of buses will result in enhanced services through Raigmore Estate and be beneficial to residents, especially those without cars.
The report states: "The council has worked with stakeholders to reach an agreement on a route that is acceptable to the council, the applicant, and the bus operator, as well as being supported through the local community council.
"It is acknowledged that the route is not the optimum route that could have been delivered, however as clearly set out in the Inshes and Raigmore Development Brief the location of the helipad at the hospital is a key factor in limiting opportunities to improve public transport.
"Although it is intended that eight established trees will require to be removed to facilitate the new bus gate, there is simply no viable alternative and the mitigation proposed by the applicant, which can be controlled by condition, will adequately compensate for this loss."
It is planned to plant 20 large trees with the locations to be agreed in consultation with the local community.
"The location of the bus gate is on the edge of the existing woodland and the access with the public road has been designed in such a manner that pedestrians will have priority in crossing over the access point as they enter or leave the woodland," adds the report.
"Pedestrian access will therefore not be compromised in any way."
It also states there will be a reasonable distance between the properties and the bus gate.
Questions raised over demand for more bus services
