Video brings preparatory work at new Monklands hospital site to life
The latest video from NHS Lanarkshire’s project to create the new University Hospital Monklands highlights how much preparatory site work has been done.
About this development:
- Authority:North Lanarkshire
- Type:Healthcare
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The film shows colleagues from Laing O’Rourke, the Monklands Replacement Project’s construction partner, looking back at some of the enabling works on the vast area of land at Wester Moffat in Airdrie.
As sweeping drone footage illustrates progress across the site, Ben Warr, Structures Senior Engineer, describes moving earth from the higher end of the former farmland to the lower end, to build up a level platform for the hospital.
He said: “We’re making big progress on site. Last year, we excavated nearly 300,000 cubic meters of soil – enough to fill 120 Olympic-sized swimming pools.”
Site engineer Abby Cruickshank adds that levelling the ground has been a challenge, as have old mine workings on part of the land.
She explains: “We’ve drilled 2,280 holes at a depth of around 20 meters. We used a total of 335 tons of grout to fill the holes and stabilise the ground.”
The video then moves away from construction to talk about Community Benefits, developed and implemented through the project team and Laing O’Rourke, with five key themes: economic; employment; training; environmental; community priorities.
Irene Gibb, senior social value advisor, tells viewers: “We’ve delivered over £135,000 through toy and clothes donations, local employment, education initiatives and much more. We’ve also employed nine graduates and eight apprentices.”
Laing O’Rourke project manager Gerry Vallianatos, who is overseeing the site works, adds: “Last year, we installed the Immersive Suite at the existing hospital, carried out a scope of mine treatment and installed over five kilometres of fencing.
“All this to provide residents with state-of-the-art healthcare facilities – and that means a lot.”
Monklands Replacement Project director Graeme Reid said: “This is the latest of our eye-catching videos, combining a bird’s eye view of work on the site with an informative summary from the Laing O’Rourke team of what has happened at Wester Moffat in the last year and more.”
The Scottish Government is now considering approval of the MRP’s Full Business Case. Approval would give the green light to the start of hospital construction, with a targeted opening in 2031.








