Row over public transport access to proposed Aviemore hospital

A group set up to co-ordinate transport and access for a new hospital in Aviemore has got off to a rocky start with members and officials clashing over its role.

The Badenoch and Strathspey Transport and Access Group has been formed to ensure that there is good public access to any new hospital built at Dalfaber.

It has been widely highlighted - and acknowledged by NHS Highland - that the provision must be met given that patients will need to travel from Grantown, Kingussie and other parts of the strath following the closure of St Vincent’s and Ian Charles hospitals if the Aviemore development goes ahead.

The group comprises Badenoch and Strathspey Highland councillors and local authority officials, representatives of the Cairngorms National Park Authority, the Badenoch and Strathspey Access Panel, Voluntary Action Badenoch and Strathspey, the Scottish Ambulance Service, Badenoch and Strathspey Community Transport Company and other community representatives.

They are looking at carrying out a public needs analysis to gauge the precise nature and extent of demand for transport.

Highland councillors in particular believe there is a golden opportunity to improve public transport provision sadly lacking in the strath as part of the arrangements to serve any new hospital.

But they have been left frustrated by the stance of their own officials at last Wednesday’s meeting - the second to be held so far.

Two transport officials of Highland Council suggested that they wanted the deliberations of the committee to fit in with the council’s transport developments elsewhere in Highland.

Local Highland councillor Gregor Rimell: "The committee could have felt intimidated. But the message was forcefully put across by all committee members that this was an opportunity for new thinking, involving all aspects of Badenoch and Strathspey transport.

"It might be difficult to take officials out of their departmental boxes, but we will succeed.

"We have a great community transport company, the consultation for the new hospital involved every generation and local interest, and we have a knowledgeable and determined committee.

"This opportunity is too important not to succeed by breaking new ground. It will not just affect the hospital. It will benefit every age throughout the strath."

Vice-chairman Richard Gillings concurred saying he was surprised that two council officers ‘proceeded to lay out their ground rules for the meeting’.

"It was, I’m sure, completely unintentional, but the impression was given that the committee was scarcely relevant to transport issues that might arise.

He added: "There was a robust response from the committee and an acceptance by the officers that their opening contributions had been misjudged. Indeed, a side-effect was to create a solidarity among committee members more speedily than otherwise would have been achieved!"

Mr Gillings confirmed: "The committee sees its role in trying to ensure that public transport provision for the hospital is appropriate and at the same time general transport provision for the area actually meets community needs, not least in ensuring that people who at the moment are unable to avail themselves of some public transport will be able to do so in the future."

Highland Council’s Director of Community Services, William Gilfillan said he was keen to clarify the concerns raised about how his officers had approached the meeting.

He said: "I am aware that two members of my staff did attend this meeting and I understand did attempt to outline how Highland Council is leading on a wider review of transport provision across Highland.

"The two staff were keen to ensure that there were clear synergies between the work already underway in Highland under my own leadership, and the work of this new group in Badenoch and Strathspey. It would be a matter of some regret if their good intentions have not come across clearly."

He continued: "Highland Council provides some £15 million per year in the support of transport services for public, school and community transport and, in the current financial climate, savings will have to be found in this area.

"The transport programme board that I chair includes public, private and community sector providers and together we are considering how to make better use of the council’s funding in this area and how we could make savings together going forward.

"This is a wide ranging project that is considering issues right across Highland. The group that has started looking at transport issues in Badenoch and Strathspey is a positive step but I am keen that we avoid duplication and work together.

"To that end, I plan to meet with NHS senior colleagues very soon to discuss the work of this new group in Badenoch and Strathspey and how we can best align our work to ensure better outcomes for all users of public transport."

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