Work begins on Raigmore Hospital bus link in Inverness after 12-year wait
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Community leaders have welcomed the start of work on a long-planned public transport link in Inverness following a 12-year wait.
The work involves a new bus and emergency service connection between Raigmore Hospital and Raigmore estate and aims to improve bus services between the city centre and east Inverness.
The bus link is a planning condition for the new National Treatment Centre which recently opened at Inverness Campus although the requirement goes back to 2011 when planning permission in principle was granted for the original campus development.
Work is expected to be completed by August 31.
Part of the pavement at Ashton Road has been cordoned off plus a derelict building near the Phoenix Centre which will be demolished as part of the plans which were approved by Highland councillors in December after they rejected previous controversial proposals.
The new link is set to improve travel times for passengers as the buses will travel through the hospital site and come out at Ashton Road – bypassing traffic on the often congested Old Perth Road.
Munro Ross, chairman of Raigmore Community Council, was pleased it was finally going ahead after a "tortuous" process to reach agreement on the route.
"We have been fighting for more improved bus services," he said.
"I am glad the issues over the route have been resolved to general satisfaction.
"I think the general consensus is that people are looking forward to improved services."
He added that the route would be served by electric buses.
Previously, nearby residents had raised objections citing environment concerns about increased numbers of buses and the felling of trees.
