Board defends choice of site for Monklands - amidst claims it is too far away

This newspaper asked the board to account for its choice of Wester Moffat, after initially considering closer sites like Gartcosh and Glenmavis.

And despite the distance involved, we were told that the site which has Drumgelloch as its nearest station would be easy to reach.

Monklands Replacement Project director Graeme Reid said:“Travel and transport emerged as the overriding theme from NHS Lanarkshire’s extensive engagement with the public and our staff, and was given detailed consideration by the Board members with regard to each site option.

“The board noted that the new East Airdrie Link Road, which will run between the M8 and Cumbernauld, will improve travel times to the Wester Moffat area from communities including Cumbernauld and Kilsyth. Allied to improved road links, public transport infrastructure will be at the heart of the project We will work closely with partners like North Lanarkshire Council, Strathclyde Partnership for Transport and Transport Scotland to ensure necessary improvements to public transport are part of the overall project.

“NHS Lanarkshire will undertake a public consultation process as part of the planning application. This will help inform the development of a hospital transport strategy, which will be required as part of the planning approval process.

But that is just not good enough, according to local politicians who are now demanding a meeting with the board.

For more, see this week’s edition of the Cumbernauld News -out today.