DIGNITARIES converged on the site of what is set to be a new, £350m state of the art specialist and critical care centre at Llanfrechfa Grange, Cwmbran.

On Monday, 17th July the Welsh Government’s cabinet secretary for health, Vaughan Gething AM cut the first sod on the site marking the start of the work on the hospital.

He was joined by Monmouth MP David Davies and AM Nick Ramsay.

It was announced at the ceremony that the 471-bed facility will be named The Grange University Hospital.

The state-of-the-art hospital will be home to more than 40 specialist services and is expected to open its doors to patients in spring 2021.

Speaking after the ceremony, Mr Davies said:“I’m delighted that building work is finally starting on the hospital.

“After a decade of delays, at least we can now be reasonably certain that this project will be completed and can look forward to the better standards of care which a modern facility will provide.”

Mr Ramsay said: "This much anticipated moment has been a long time coming and hopefully the project will now go ahead without too many hold-ups.”