Hospital parking

THE philanthropic gesture by Sir Ian Wood to fund the building of a multi-storey car park at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary (your report, 13 May) is praiseworthy as there is a desperate need for this facility.

It can be almost impossible to find a parking space in the general car park. Over the years the problem of parking at the hospital has tried the tolerance of patients, visiting family members and staff.

Contrast the absence of such an amenity with the controversial presence of schemes reputedly designed to brighten Aberdeen city centre, such as the Union Terrace Gardens project, towards which Sir Ian was a declared willing donor, and the current replacement Muse Development project for the demolished former council headquarters building, known as St Nicholas House.

Some would say that a large-capacity car park at Foresterhill for the city’s hospital should be a priority. But better late than never, and this is a scheme that is unlikely to rouse any controversy for the Granite City.

Ian Johnstone

Forman Drive

Peterhead