Efforts to increase bus services to Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton, one of Somerset’s key healthcare facilities, have hit a roadblock due to national helipad safety regulations. Since its installation in May 2010, the hospital’s helipad near the A&E department has expedited emergency responses to remote areas but now impacts local transport planning.
The Somerset Bus Partnership, collaborating with Somerset Council, aimed to boost bus frequency to reduce congestion and ease pressure on the hospital’s multi-storey car park. However, campaigner David Northey highlighted a regulatory hurdle: government policies restrict how frequently buses can operate near active helipads.
At a virtual meeting of the council’s bus advisory board—which includes councillors, transport officials, operators, and campaigners—Northey explained the challenge. “Musgrove Park Hospital told us national policy around helicopter takeoff and landing zones limits bus traffic near the heliport. This is something we need to challenge, as it doesn’t seem to restrict the number of private cars entering the site,” he said.
Currently, the hospital is accessible via buses running from Taunton’s park and ride locations, with recent improvements making connections easier for passengers from West Somerset. Yet, the Civil Aviation Authority’s updated 2024 guidance on hospital helipads introduces strict measures to prevent stationary traffic near landing areas. These measures include red routes, no-waiting zones, and hatched markings designed to keep the area clear of vehicles that could obstruct helicopter operations or endanger passengers with rotor wash.
Northey and the Somerset Bus Partnership plan to meet soon with the Somerset NHS Foundation Trust — which manages the hospital — to explore possible adjustments that might allow more bus services without compromising patient safety. “We’re looking at alternatives and potential solutions because this area is vital for the community and transport connectivity,” Northey emphasized.