Parking solutions in spotlight

NHS Tayside hopes moving more services into the community will help alleviate long-running parking problems at Ninewells Hospital.

Under the proposal, more procedures would take place outside Ninewells as the health board moves away from centralising services.

Other measures could include introducing pool cars for hospital staff, “greener travel”, a new park and ride system and curtailing further development at the site.

Locals have complained about the number of staff and visitors who park in neighbouring streets in order to avoid parking charges or due to overspill.

A group of councillors met NHS Tayside’s chief operating officer Lorna Wiggin and head of property Mark Anderson to discuss their concerns.

West End councillor Richard McCready said: “There are real issues around the continued centralisation of services and whether more of these can be done elsewhere.

“The discussions centred around providing more services in the community, but I think there are also questions to be asked around enforcement — particularly in residential areas.

“I think it is quite ridiculous really that they are now talking about moving services away from Ninewells when the health board has spent however many years moving them in.”

Councillor Donald Hay said he asked how the proposals would be carried out and was told the health board would likely look to use specialist nurses.

George Beath receives his new home security tools from community safety warden Billy McGregor.