Issue - meetings

(i)       to note that National Health Service Grampian (NHS Grampian) were preparing a new Development Framework and Transport Strategy for the Foresterhill Campus;

(ii)       to note the actions being taken by Aberdeen City Council and local public transport services in relation to active travel and public transport adjacent to the site;

(iii)      to acknowledge NHS Grampian staff worked long, often anti-social hours and needed access to travel options which best met their needs, including adequate access to safe, free parking;

(iv)      to instruct the Chief Officer – Operations and Protective Services to report to this Committee on any future impacts arising from the above recommendations or collaboration with NHS Grampian to improve accessibility to the site for patients, staff and visitors;

(v)      to note the changes to the bus services implemented in recent months;

(vi)      to note the significant work already underway by the North East Bus Alliance which includes the operators and the local authorities to develop Aberdeen Rapid Transit including services that would serve the ARI site and link to the Park and Ride facilities;

(vii)     to instruct the Director of Commissioning to invite bus operators to a meeting including the Convener and Vice Convener of the Net Zero Environment and Transport Committee, and representatives from each political group, to discuss the impact the changes to the bus services has had on NHS Grampian staff and patients; and

(viii)    to instruct the Director of Commissioning to report back to the next appropriate meeting of the Net Zero Environment and Transport Committee on the outcome of the meetings agreed in point 2 and any potential further steps.

With reference to article 19 of the minute of the meeting of Full Council of 14 June 2023, the Committee had before it a report by the Director of Resources which provided an update on the impact of changes in land use on the Aberdeen Royal Infirmary (ARI) site on car parking for staff, visitors and the wider community; on the public transport opportunities to and from the ARI site; and the impact on parking within the wider community and any solutions required.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)      note that National Health Service Grampian (NHS Grampian) were preparing a new Development Framework and Transport Strategy for the Foresterhill Campus;

(b)      note the actions being taken by Aberdeen City Council and local public transport services in relation to active travel and public transport adjacent to the site; and

(c)      instruct the Chief Officer – Operations and Protective Services to report to this Committee on any future impacts arising from the above recommendations or collaboration with NHS Grampian to improve accessibility to the site for patients and staff.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)       to approve recommendations (a) and (b) as set out above;

(ii)       to acknowledge NHS Grampian staff worked long, often anti-social hours and needed access to travel options which best met their needs, including adequate access to safe, free parking;

(iii)      to instruct the Chief Officer – Operations and Protective Services to report to this Committee on any future impacts arising from the above recommendations or collaboration with NHS Grampian to improve accessibility to the site for patients, staff and visitors;

(iv)      to note the changes to the bus services implemented in recent months;

(v)      to note the significant work already underway by the North East Bus Alliance which included the operators and the local authorities to develop Aberdeen Rapid Transit including services that would serve the ARI site and link to the Park and Ride facilities;

(vi)      to instruct the Director of Commissioning to invite bus operators to a meeting including the Convener and Vice Convener of the Net Zero Environment and Transport Committee, and representatives from each political group, to discuss the impact the changes to the bus services has had on NHS Grampian staff and patients; and

(vii)     to instruct the Director of Commissioning to report back to the next appropriate meeting of the Net Zero Environment and Transport Committee on the outcome of the meetings and any potential further steps.

-             COUNCILLOR IAN YUILL, Convener