Campaign for hospital buses

Campaign for hospital buses

16 May 2012

LOCAL health campaigners are hoping to persuade bus officials to improve links between Downpatrick town centre and Downe Hospital.

They are also keen to see an improved transport network between the town and the Ulster Hospital in Dundonald and Lagan Valley Hospital, Lisburn.

Last week, Councillor Cadogan Enright and veteran hospital campaigner Mr. Dick Shannon met Downpatrick Ulsterbus manager, Mr. Gary Mawhinney, to discuss their concerns about what they believe are poor links between Downpatrick town centre and three hospitals.

They said there was a growing need to a dedicated 15-minute bus service to the Downe Hospital after the opening of a new GP surgery at the site instead of the existing hourly service.

Mr. Enright said it was essential to introduce a frequent bus service to the Downe Hospital to encourage people to use pubic transport.

“The current movement of clinic facilities out of the Pound Lane in Downpatrick to the hospital site will undoubtedly influence travel patterns in Downpatrick with additional customers requiring transport access to Downe Hospital,” he said.

“Prior to completion of the new Downe Hospital the South Eastern Health Trust discussed the possibility of a transport route subsidy for Ulsterbus to provide a shuttle service between Downpatrick bus station and the new hospital at the Ardglass Road on the outskirts of the town.

“The funding was withdrawn before a final decision was taken leaving only the pre-existing minibus route to service the site.

This may be an appropriate time to reconsider this option in order to improve access and increase the bus service frequency.

Mr. Enright said he believed access to the Downshire site, where several public services will soon be located, should also be improved.

Mr. Mawhinney said he was happy to work with health campaigners but would would need extra funding to expand services.