It is taking an “absolute age” to arrange a much-promised meeting between elected representatives and Ninewells parking chiefs, according to a councillor.
Bailie Fraser Macpherson said he and other representatives of the Lochee and West End wards were told a meeting with hospital bosses had been initially scheduled for October last year.
The meeting was brought about due to the “constant” and “increasing” number of complaints and concerns raised by residents in the surrounding Ninewells area regarding parking provision.
Coupled with the rising cost in parking in the hospital, residents in both wards have expressed concerns about “over-spill” because of a lack of space in the car parks.
Lib Dem councillor Mr Macpherson said he had serious concerns regarding the health board’s administration capabilities because of the delays in organising the meeting.
In correspondence viewed by The Courier, plans to arrange a meeting between NHS Tayside Chief Operating Officer Lorna Wiggin and Mr Macpherson alludes to one being organised at the end of October.
According to Mr Macpherson, this is yet to take place.
He said: “I was pleased NHS Tayside is prepared to discuss the parking concerns with local councillors.
“However, it is taking the NHS an absolute age to arrange this.
“I had requested that local councillors for the West End and Lochee are invited to participate in the discussion as we get the bulk of constituent complaints and concerns about parking at Ninewells.
He continued: “Therefore, it has been decided to drop the matter from the agenda for the MSP/MP and NHS Tayside joint session and instead have a meeting with all the local councillors whose wards are affected by the parking issue – these being the Lochee Ward to the north of Ninewells Hospital and the West End Ward to the south and east of the hospital.
“This was agreed in September 2017 and it has still not been arranged by the NHS.
“There’s a real need for proper and positive cross-party discussions to look at ways of improving the parking situation for out-patients, NHS staff and hospital visitors.
“NHS Tayside has to get its act together and get the promised meeting now arranged as soon as practically possible.”
Earlier this month the operators of the car park Indigo announced increases to the cost of using their facility — with an individual visit now costing £2.30, payable only in small change.
The Ninewells car park is one of only three in Scotland still charging users, after a private finance initiative was used to fund it in 2001, under the then Labour-Lib Dem Scottish executive.
In the last decade, the cost of parking in Ninewells has increased by more than 260%.
NHS Tayside was approached for comment
