Raigmore Hospital bus link in Inverness finally operational after 13-year wait

A long-planned public transport link in Inverness is now operational after a 13-year wait and controversy.

The Raigmore Hospital bus link, providing a connection between the hospital and Raigmore Estate, aims to improve bus services between the city centre and east Inverness.

The bus link was a planning condition for the new National Treatment Centre which opened last year at Inverness Campus although the requirement goes back to 2011 when planning permission in principle was granted for the original campus development.

Related stories:

Work begins on Raigmore Hospital bus link in Inverness

Bus gate finally approved by Highland Council

The buses will travel through the hospital site and come 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, will prevent the link being used as a rat run through the hospital grounds by other motorists who will continue to use the Old Perth Road entry.

Changes to bus services have been introduced and passengers are advised to check for alterations.

Service 8, for example, which runs from the city centre to Raigmore estate, is withdrawn as services 2 and 3 will give a better level of service to that area. The resources saved from this withdrawal have been used to increase the frequency to Hilton.

Initially, the proposed bus gate prompted controversy including objections from nearby residents citing environmental concerns about increased numbers of buses and the felling of trees.

But agreement was finally reached.

Munro Ross, convener of Raigmore Community Council, was pleased the bus gate was finally operational but was disappointed that little advance information had been circulated within the community.

“People who were unaware of the changes may have gone to get their bus today and then found it was not running,” he said.

“A lack of advance publicity will disadvantage people who work in the city or people who have appointments.”

He also said there was an issue with potholes in Ashton Road which still had to be resolved.

The subject will be discussed at tonight’s Raigmore Community Council meeting and Mr Ross is also keen to hear feedback from the public.

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