Hemel Hempstead MP Mike Penning is backing public calls for a new hospital to serve west Hertfordshire.

A petition started by the Dacorum Hospital Action Group demands a new hospital be built on an out-of-town site near Junction 20 of the M25, opposing current plans to redevelop the existing Watford General Hospital site – a location it calls “a disaster”.

It argues that the more central proposed site would better serve the “large, growing” towns of Hemel Hempstead, St Albans and Watford.

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The petition states: “Access to the current Watford site is a disaster. A new greenfield site would be easily accessible to all three main towns and have space for plenty of parking and future expansion.

“A state-of-the-art hospital in this location would not only serve the local towns but would be strategically located for Heathrow, north west London and Luton.

“A major construction project in this location would significantly contribute to the Government’s objective of investing substantially in infrastructure to stimulate the economy.”

So far the petition has attracted more than 5,300 signatures.

Mr Penning said: “I want to thank everyone who has signed the petition and especially everyone who has been house-to-house with the forms.

“I urge anyone who hasn’t yet signed the petition to do so. I will of course send the petition to NHS England, and I am urging them to make funds available for a new hospital.”

You can sign the petition online at https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/169500