Scottish Conservative MSP Edward Mountain is calling on NHS Highland to take a stricter approach to free up parking spaces at Raigmore Hospital after plans for three overflow car parks took a back seat.
Highland Council approved the plans, put forward by the health board in August last year, providing 250 additional parking spaces.
However, a lack of cash stopped the plans going ahead, although NHS Highland bosses say they will be revisited in the next financial year.
The hospital currently has 900 car parking spaces with an extra 200 used for overflow and staff accommodation.
In response to the growing pressure on parking capacity at the facility, Mr Mountain has launched the Raigmore Parking Campaign in an attempt to ensure more is done to curb the lack of space available.
He said: “Patients, visitors and staff have been experiencing parking problems at Raigmore Hospital for far too long and a solution is needed.
“The hospital car park is meant to be for those who need it in connection with the hospital.
“If you are one of those parking there to go shopping in the city centre, going to work or indeed going on holiday then you are taking away spaces that are needed by patients, visitors and staff. You should think carefully before taking up a space that is needed by those in the hospital or attending an appointment.
“I have launched the Raigmore Parking Campaign to ensure the Health Board takes positive action to free up more of the current 900 spaces and 200 overflow spaces.”
Following the announcement, dozens of residents have taken to social media to propose ideas on how to help mitigate the problem, including, implementing parking fees and barriers and the distribution of tokens to residents attending appointments or visiting admitted patients.
A spokeswoman from NHS Highland said: “We are very sympathetic to the car parking situation at Raigmore Hospital and the frustration that gives to patients, visitors and staff.
“We know the car park has not the capacity to fully deal with the peak traffic that comes onto the site each day. Previous plans to extend the car park had to be put on hold due to financial pressures across the organisation.
“Providing car parking space is not a statutory requirement or entitlement placed on NHS facilities or organisations. We welcome Mr Mountain’s support in ensuring the car park is only used for those with a reason to be at the hospital.”
