RAH Car Parking Update

As most of you will know by now the Health Board has confirmed its intent to press ahead in early September and has apparently further advertised by holding ‘roadshow’ events. Some attending these have contacted me to indicate their extreme frustration at mere advice on alternative methods of transport to work, including cycling!
 
You may remember that following my earlier efforts and our meeting at the end of May with health board management there seemed to be a willingness from the Chief Executive to take a fresh look at how to “problem solve” many of the shortcomings of the proposed plans, and I felt the delay of the June implementation plans backed this up. As agreed, Health Board senior management did meet in July with Council planners and the Head of Roads to tap into their road and parking expertise for a rethinking of how to increase the number of spaces on site, better utilise each space to maximise usage by more than one user over 24 hour periods – and additionally revamping the criteria for parking permit allocation to include additional postcode/distance considerations.
 
Disappointingly, despite pursuing the matter with the Chief Executive of the Health Board on two occasions in July, and again since, I have received no response to date, over 4 weeks later – and most importantly, no evidence that any significant changes have been incorporated to improve the original plans.
 
I have also written to the Health Minister Nicola Sturgeon on a particular point one constituent raised, I attach a copy of the Minister’s response letter backing the board – click here to read for your information.
 
Since May I have been contacted by many with valid anxieties – not just from staff worried about how they will get to and from work and be able to complete their shift without concerns of finding a parking fine at hometime, but also from patients, visitors, and local residents too who fear a flood of new car parkers forced out of the hospital grounds onto their currently quiet nearby streets. Click here to to read a text of one in particular – it sums up the feelings of most.
 
I assure you of my continued best intentions on this issue and whilst, like many,  I fear Health Board ears appear closed, I will continue to press the them and will return with any update news I find.