Concern over hospital bus changes

A local politician is concerned bus service changes will affect access to healthcare for Clackmannan and Menstrie residents.

Some stops are being removed on routes between the Wee County villages and Forth Valley Royal Hospital.

Keith Brown is concerned some disabled or elderly residents will now struggle to attend vital healthcare appointments.

He's written to McGill’s Buses, NHS Forth Valley, and the Traffic Commissioner for Scotland.

Commenting, Keith Brown said:

“Many constituents have been in touch to express how concerned they are about the impact of these changes — and understandably so. For many people in Menstrie and Clackmannan, the H1 and H2 bus services are a vital link to hospital care, and the removal of key stops will make accessing health appointments more difficult and, in some cases, impossible.

“These are not minor changes. Elderly residents, people with disabilities, and those without access to a car will now have to walk significantly further to reach a service they rely on for essential healthcare.

“I understand that these changes follow concerns raised with the Traffic Commissioner about the reliability of the service falling below acceptable standards. But reducing accessibility for some of the most vulnerable in our communities is not the answer. Reliability must go hand-in-hand with accessibility — not come at its expense.

“I appreciate that McGill’s is trying to serve a wider population, and some additions, such as the Glenochil stop, are welcome. But the process must be balanced and inclusive — changes should not come at the cost of access to healthcare for those who need it most.

“I’ve written directly to McGill’s, NHS Forth Valley, and the Traffic Commissioner to ask for an urgent review of the changes and to ensure proper consideration has been given to the needs of the affected communities.”