Alongside staff from VolkerFitzpatrick, Mayor Dorothy Thornhill attended the event with Jac Kelly, Interim Chief Executive at West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust and Leigh Thomas, Managing Director from Kier Property.

The £18.5 million project, which will help speed up journey times to and from the hospital for emergency vehicles, staff and visitors, is part of the Watford Health Campus improvement project and will be open in autumn 2016.

Commenting on the milestone Dorothy Thornhill said: “It is great to see things really starting to happen on the Health Campus and to know that, in just over a year’s time, it will be easier and quicker to get to our hospital. In emergencies every second counts and so this road will make a big difference. Now it is onwards with other parts of the scheme including a purpose built business area for new, local jobs.”

VolkerFitzpatrick project manager, John Horan added: “We are delighted to be able to start these vital works that will help patients reach Watford Hospital quickly and in doing so help save lives.”

Over the next 15 – 20 years, the Health Campus will transform 65 acres of land surrounding Watford Hospital, creating an attractive new community that will deliver over 1,000 new jobs, 750 homes and local retail and leisure facilities, The plans for the area also include new public open realm, play spaces and green infrastructure that will open up the Colne River Valley, bringing benefits to those working and visiting the hospital as well as to new and existing local residents.