Delays to Midlands hospital construction will cost up to £125m

The delayed Midlands Metropolitan Hospital project in Smethwick is up to £125m over budget, it has been announced.

Construction came to a halt in January this year when contractor Carillion collapsed.

Toby Lewis, chief executive of the Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust has now confirmed that completing the 669-bed hospital will cost about £100m to £125m more than expected.

The news follows Theresa May’s announcement earlier this week that the government is in talks with West Midlands Mayor Andy Street to resuscitate the delayed construction of the £350m hospital, which is two thirds finished.

Lewis has said construction firm Skanska is the trust’s preferred choice to complete the job.

He told Sky News that three government departments still need to sign off on the plans, but he hopes the hospital will open in 2020, 18 months later than hoped.