New Raigmore Hospital Bus Gate public transport link closed after hitting ‘technical issues’ - just three days after opening

UPDATE: New Inverness public transport route re-opens

A new public transport link in Inverness has hit difficulties — just three days after opening.

The long-awaited Raigmore Bus Gate route, designed to allow smooth bus travel between the city centre and east Inverness, opened to fanfare on Monday.

The project had been delayed for 13 years amid controversy, having originally been a planning requirement for the new National Treatment Centre which opened last year at Inverness Campus.

But bus firm Stagecoach reported at 6.25 am this morning that “technical difficulties” meant the route was not in operation, with recently revised bus services being diverted through Culcabock.

Ordinarily, the new bus route should take commuters through the hospital site and out at Ashton Road, bypassing traffic on the often congested Old Perth Road.

A barrier system, which can only be operated by buses and emergency services vehicles, was installed to prevent the link being used as a rat run through the hospital grounds.

Stagecoach warned passengers this morning that all service 2 and 3 buses were being diverted away from the Bus Gate.

Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.