Raigmore Hospital car park barrier system set to be operational by June amid calls from MSP Edward Mountain to speed up the process saying 'it is crucial that this is fully introduced sooner rather than later to ensure more spaces are freed up'
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NHS Highland has denied that the Raigmore Hospital car park is being used as a park and ride after MSP Edward Mountain slammed the health board for not making barriers operational.
More than £600,000 was spent on expanding the car park and installing a barrier system designed to allow patients, visitors and staff to park easily amid concerns that the site was being abused.
Mr Mountain said he was “horrified” after a visit this week when he spent 15 minutes trying to find a space and saw others repeatedly circling the car park doing the same and called on the health board to act.
A spokeswoman for NHS Highland said: “Our monitoring of the car park has seen no evidence of it being used as a park and ride by the general public.
“The installation of the barrier system will assist in segregating staff and patient parking but will not increase the number of car parking spaces. It will protect the spaces closest to the main entrance for patient use and hopefully improved turnover of these spaces.
“We hope to have it fully operational by June 1.”
Earlier Mr Mountain said: “It took me 15 minutes to secure parking at Raigmore and I wasn’t the only one having difficulties. I was horrified to see people driving round in circles struggling to find a space.
“This really isn’t good enough. NHS Highland have informed me that the barrier system won’t be operational until July 2022 – it should have been ready three years ago. Why is it taking so long?
“The barrier system will ensure there is controlled parking at the hospital – it is crucial that this is fully introduced sooner rather than later to ensure more spaces are freed up.
“I’ve been campaigning for the car park to be enhanced for years and it continues to be a source of frustration for patients, staff and visitors. NHS Highland have made a lot of promises about improving this car park and it’s now time to see urgent action.”
