Hopes for new hospital timeline as work begins
LDRSThere are hopes the building of a new hospital could start as early as 2027, after groundwork got under way.
Local developer Project Genesis confirmed initial infrastructure had been put in at the site of Shotley Bridge Hospital in County Durham.
Director Mike Clark said ground conditions would be tested over the coming months, with hopes further preparation work could be carried out from March to get the land ready for construction from 2027.
County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust said it was "remobilising the team" and it aimed to provide a hospital over the next five years "subject to appropriate approvals".
The start of the on-site works have helped to secure planning permission for the project before it expires, which has been in place since 2023.
"It's a really good step forward and it feels really good to get to that point," Mr Clark said.
"People will see further planning equipment on the site over the next couple of months and that will be us making sure that we've got up to date knowledge of the ground conditions."
Developers are hoping further work to create a new signalised junction on to the A692, as well as drainage, could start as early as next March.
It is expected to take between nine and 12 months, Mr Clark said.
"Once we've done that, we hand the site over to the hospital trust, hopefully in the beginning of 2027, and they can start with the foundation and build straight away," he added.
Medical ArchitectThe Derwent View site was identified as the most suitable for the new hospital in 2018.
The 16-bed in-patient rehabilitation ward and urgent treatment centre would replace the current outdated facility.
Earlier this year, Health Secretary Wes Streeting announced full construction was expected to begin within the next two years.
The facility had been due to open this year but the project was plagued by delays and inflated costs.
"We have secured the funding, produced a realistic timetable, with spades in the ground for a new hospital site in Consett in 2026/7," he said
Additional reporting by the Local Democracy Reporting Service.