They are not heeding my warnings, says Lothian Tory MSP
Miles Briggs, Scottish Conservative & Unionist MSP for Lothian, has received a written response from Shona Robison on his call for a national review of parking at all Scottish Hospitals (see below).
Parking has become an increasing problem for both patients, visitors and staff and is causing growing difficulties for patients getting to their appointments on time and also causing additional stress for those visiting hospitals.
Local transport to and from the hospitals can take a long time and many routes do not provide realistic options for patients, staff and visitors travelling to hospital appointments, their work, or relatives and friends visiting from nearby communities.
Miles Briggs has asked SNP Ministers to consider a range of options, from expanding opportunities for additional parking close to hospitals to seeking funding to build multi-story car parks, or to build car parks close to hospitals and running shuttle bus services.
At the Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, local businesses have stepped in to help deliver a solution to ongoing parking issues facing local residents. The new car park at the Aberdeen Royal Infirmary was funded by Sir Ian and Lady Helen Wood’s charity, the Wood Foundation.
Miles Briggs said: “The parking difficulties at hospitals across Lothian continue to increase and clearly need a renewed focus to find long term and sustainable solutions. I am particularly concerned because hospitals in Lothian are already at capacity and we have the fastest growing population in Scotland.
“I have written to SNP Ministers about how difficult parking at Little France will be when the Royal Hospital for Sick Children moves there this summer, but they are not heeding my warnings.”