Inverness Raigmore Hospital bus gate took 13 years to achieve, cost £850k - and is beset with problems after opening one year ago
An Inverness public transport link which took 13 years to achieve, cost £850,000 and was mired in controversy is still experiencing problems a year after it opened.
The Raigmore Hospital bus gate, linking the hospital and Raigmore housing estate, is intended to improve bus travel between the city centre and the east side of Inverness.
But the barrier system - which is also for use by emergency service vehicles - often fails to open, according to perplexed community leaders and nearby residents who are calling for urgent action.
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The bus link, which incorporates the barrier system to prevent the hospital grounds being used as a rat run by other motorists, is the responsibility of NHS Highland.
It was a planning condition for the new National Treatment Centre which opened two years ago at Inverness Campus although the requirement goes back to 2011 when planning permission in principle was granted for the original campus development.
Although the initial proposed route prompted objections and a petition from nearby residents citing environmental concerns about increased numbers of buses and the felling of trees, revised plans were agreed and it finally opened in March 2024.
But within days there were technical difficulties which still persist, according to local residents and community leaders.
They say the barrier is frequently out of action, resulting in buses having to reverse and divert via a longer alternative route.
Raigmore Community Council chairman Munro Ross speculated that the problem seemed to be the angle of the bus approaching the barrier which operated on an automatic vehicle recognition system.
He said when it failed to open, buses had to reverse and retrace their journey and take a route using Old Perth Road.
“That can add 20 minutes on to the journey,” Mr Ross said.
He said there often seemed to be delays in getting mechanical problems fixed.
“It certainly needs to be resolved one way or another,” he said.
“We would like to get a meeting of all the relevant people around the table.”
Denise Stewart-Thomson, of Ashton Crescent, campaigned against the original bus gate plans.
“I frequently see the bus going in the wrong direction for the route, or reversing, which signifies the barrier is not working,” she said.
“It has not been worth all the grief.”
She suggested the barrier be kept open permanently, unless a helicopter was in the area, and said she did not anticipate this would lead to the route being used as a rat run.
“If there are cameras and clear signage, I don’t think cars would use it as a cut-through,” she said.
Inverness Millburn councillor Isabelle MacKenzie said it was “deeply disappointing” that problems still persist and is expecting to meet Highland Council’s travel officer next week along with her fellow councillor Ian Brown.
She was particularly concerned that the Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) had not been able to fully trust or use the bus gate due to its ongoing operational failures.
“One of the primary reasons I supported the bus gate was to provide a quick and efficient route for ambulances, allowing them to reach residents in need on the Raigmore estate without delay,” she said.
“However, it is deeply disappointing that operational issues have persisted, particularly regarding the mechanics of the bus gate, which are now the responsibility of NHS Highland.”
She continued: “Given the importance of this issue, it is crucial that we bring together all relevant stakeholders – including Highland Council, NHS Highland, Stagecoach and the Raigmore Estate Community – to discuss and address these operational challenges.
“Only by collaborating closely can we ensure a more reliable and efficient bus gate system moving forward.”
An NHS Highland spokeswoman said: “When it opened the bus gate did have some teething problems, but we worked with the contractors to rectify these as soon as possible.
“We’ve carried out work to protect it from vandalism and, when it is in need of repair, the contractor attends as quickly as they can but, depending on the issue, it can sometimes take time to fix.
“We are committed to working with our partners to ensure the smooth operation of the bus gate.”
A spokesperson for Stagecoach North Scotland said the company was working closely with all stakeholders involved to resolve any operational issues as they arose.
A Highland Council spokeswoman said any comment about operational issues had to come from NHS Highland.
