'Exciting' plans to create the new University Hospital Monklands are moving forward.

NHS Lanarkshire said the plans to construct the new 'trailblazing' facility have progressed through preparatory works on the site of the development.

The Monklands Replacement Project (MRP) is carrying out 'settlement trials' on the land at Wester Moffat in Airdrie that will eventually become home to the new hospital.

READ MORE: First look inside new University Hospital Monklands revealed

We previously reported plans to build the new hospital in place of Monklands progressed earlier this year as well.

The vision to replace the hospital with a new facility was met with approval of the project’s planning application at a council meeting on Thursday, June 20.

North Lanarkshire Council gave the go-ahead for the state-of-the-art hospital to be constructed at the site.

(Image: Supplied)

READ MORE: Plans to build 'trailblazing' new hospital approved

MRP Director Graeme Reid said: “We’re delighted to see this initial work underway on the site, illustrating that the momentum continues on our journey towards Lanarkshire’s new hospital, which will be the first in Scotland to be fully digital and net zero carbon.

“Settlement trials involve earth from the site being formed into three large mounds to test how quickly the ground settles.

"The results will allow the MRP team to verify their design assumptions about the land and confirm construction plans and methodology for the hospital.

“The public may notice some construction traffic accessing the area and surveyors will be on site regularly over the coming months to take readings and assess the settlement of the earth mounds.

“We’ll keep the community informed about future site works.”

(Image: Supplied)

READ MORE: First phase of £10million upgrade works 'nearing completion'

Colin Lauder, NHS Lanarkshire Deputy Chief Executive & Director of Planning, Property and Performance, said he recently visited Wester Moffat to observe the work and was highly impressed by what he saw.

He said: “I was pleased to have the opportunity to tour the site along with Donald Reid, who has a background in construction and is a non-executive director on NHS Lanarkshire’s Board and Chair of the Board sub-committee that provides governance on the MRP.

“We were shown round by Dean Molloy, from contractor I&H Brown, and saw the great work being carried out to undertake the settlement trials.

“It’s inspirational to walk the site and see all the activity, and to envision the magnificent, state-of-the-art hospital building that will stand there in the future.

“This phase of work underlines the fact that NHS Lanarkshire remains fully committed to the construction of the new University Hospital Monklands.

“We’re currently developing the MRP’s Full Business Case (FBC) and the project timeline is unchanged as we work towards completing the FBC in 2025 and opening our new hospital around 2031.”