Angus councillors have agreed to enter into “detailed dialogue” with NHS Tayside over the ongoing problem of parking at Arbroath Infirmary with the possibility of a £75,000 car park being constructed on nearby common good land.
Members last month ordered infrastructure services officials to re-examine the issue which first surfaced in March 2009 in light of heightened road safety and congestion concerns in and around the hospital grounds.
The local authority has now contacted NHS Tayside and is looking at a number of options, including the common good project advocated by councillors Bob Spink and Alex King when the matter was first raised. The costs associated with that would allow for lighting and minor landscaping.
Mr King said he was “very happy” to see the report coming forward.
He added, “This does address the principles Councillor Spink and I put forward over two years ago. I’m glad we can all now agree there is a problem in the area.”
Other proposals put forward to the committee include moving NHS Tayside pool cars and social care officer vehicles to ease congestion at the car park in the hospital grounds, as well as a suggestion certain outpatient services could be allocated to other nearby facilities, such as Little Cairnie Hospital.
However, Mr King took issue with the idea, arguing it could result in congestion being transferred to another “extremely busy” spot.
The committee will be updated on the issue following the summer break.