Sandwell super hospital site's £1m extra for asbestos work
The amount of dangerous asbestos on the site of Sandwell's proposed super hospital means £1 million more than budgeted will have to be spent to clear it.
It was originally thought £1.8m would cover cost of demolition, off Grove Lane, Smethwick, but after started the work, it emerged the amount in some of the buildings is worse than initially feared and the cost will now be closer to £2.8m.
"We're frustrated to find things are in a worse condition than we initially thought," said Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals Trust spokeswoman Jessamy Kinghorn. Demolition work to make way for the super-hospital began in December.
Mrs Kinghorn said they had spent about £500,000 on removal so far.
The £370m budgeted included money to cater for unforseen circumstances.
The 670-bed Midland Metropolitan Hospital will replace Sandwell Hospital, West Bromwich, and City Hospital, Winson Green.
