There have been calls for better bus links to Bath’s Royal United Hospital and for a multi-storey car park as visitors are currently being advised to allow extra time for their journey due to building works.
The main entrance of the Royal United Hospital in Bath | Photo © RUH
The announcement from hospital chiefs has sparked a debate on social media about the need for a multi-storey car park at the hospital’s Combe Park site and for shuttle bus links from both Newbridge and Lansdown Park & Rides.
Building works are taking place in the main patients’ car park (P1) and on roads within the site until late January.
Although no parking spaces are being removed for the work, which is part of Project Clean Heat to upgrade the hospital’s heating equipment to greener forms of energy, and disruption is being kept to a minimum, people are encouraged to allow extra time and to consider using “alternative transport” if possible.
The RUH has details on its website on how to get to the site by bus, train, bicycle, or on foot, stating that Newbridge Park & Ride is within walking distance.
Comments on the RUH Bath Facebook page in response to the hospital’s announcement include: “It’s an absolute nightmare to park there, a multi-storey car park or shuttle bus from Newbridge Park & Ride, like others have suggested, would be a sensible solution.”
Another said: “Gosh it’s bad enough at the best times! Considering how large your catchment area is (many of us very rural), it’s time to invest in better parking options or a better direct Park and Ride.”
One person expressed their “hate” for the car park, adding: “I have a disabled badge and I still found it difficult visiting my dad when he had cancer. It was a complete nightmare.
“Sometimes it could take us up to two hours to find a space.”
A bus shuttle from Lansdown Park & Ride would be a “great solution” for lots of the people coming from the east side of Bath, said another.
The RUH has said a multi-storey car park is not possible on the hospital site as the infrastructure in the surrounding area could not support it, but has thanked people for their comments and feedback.
People are advised that anything further can be shared via [email protected]
This week a spokesperson from First Bus told the Echo: “There has been discussion regarding how we can provide better bus connections to Royal United Hospital Bath. Currently, our Service 3 and 4 provide links for passengers from the east and south of the city.
“To leverage the Lansdown and Newbridge Park & Ride routes specifically, we would need to overcome some operational challenges, but we are certainly open to exploring this in partnership with the Royal United Hospital and the local authority.”
Current bus services to the RUH
- Service 4 runs between Odd Down Park & Ride and the RUH.
- Service 3 runs between Bathford and Weston via the city centre, stopping at the RUH.
- The Big Lemon’s Service 20 runs hourly between Twerton, Weston, City Centre, and the University of Bath, stopping at the RUH.
- Service 39/x39 from Bristol stops on Newbridge Road, a 10-minute walk from the RUH.
- Service 19 stops on the A431 at Penn Lea Road (eastbound) and Evelyn Road (westbound). These stops are a two-minute walk from the RUH site.
