Politicians hit out at Gartcosh hospital site

Airdrie politicians Alex Neil and Neil Gray are demanding that NHS Lanarkshire “ditch Gartcosh” as a site for the new Monklands Hospital.

They have written to health board chair Neena Mahal questioning “the veracity and reliability of the scoring exercise and consultation paper”, and are calling for an external review.

Concerns from Mr Neil MSP and Mr Gray MP include wrong information for alternative site Glenmavis – such as not factoring in the planned new road and “downplaying” business man Ronnie Bartlett’s offer to donate the land.

They also say Gartcosh’s benefits have been overstated, believing it will cost millions to improve congestion, parking and contaminated land.

Mr Neil said:“The more we study this consultation, the more we realise it’s a total con, and the people of Monklands won’t stand for this being steamrolled.

“The facts and figures are so wrong and there’s nothing to recommend Gartcosh; it’s absurd and we want the health board to start again as there’s no way Gartcosh could score top.

“People there are concerned about congestion and that the roads are unable to cope. Glenmavis is a better place to put the hospital.”

Constituency colleague Mr Gray added: “It’s clear Gartcosh is unpopular and impractical – how its transport links scored so highly is beyond me.

“Public and political opinion are strongly opposed; we’ll keep working to convince NHS Lanarkshire to do the right thing for the Monklands residents this new hospital will primarily serve.”

Health board director of planning Colin Lauder said: “We will offer a meeting to discuss the points made. The majority of these issues were, however, addressed in Mr Neil and Mr Gray’s recent meeting with senior representatives including chief executive Calum Campbell.

“The option appraisal outcome will be considered by the NHS Lanarkshire board in November. [They] will consider public consultation feedback before a preferred option is decided.”

Two public meetings will be held in Coatbridge on Tuesday, running at the 101 Park Street venue from 2pm to 4pm and 6.30pm to 8.30pm.

Airdrie then hosts two sessions at the same times on Thursday, September 13, at Sir John Wilson town hall.