CONSTRUCTION work has finally begun on a much-needed new £6 million medical centre.

Residents in Ongar will soon be able to access two GP surgeries, dental care, physiotherapy, and a range of other services at the new War Memorial Medical Centre in Fyfield Road.

The old War Memorial Hospital, which was built in 1930, was closed in the summer of 2009. Demolition work began last October and was completed earlier this month.

NHS West Essex expects the state-of-the-art facility to open by January 2012.

The new building will feature a war memorial wall, and NHS West Essex hopes it will be near enough to completion for this year’s Remembrance Sunday services in Ongar to be held there.

Builders Rydon Construction previously worked with the primary care trust on the expansion of St Margaret’s Hospital in Epping.

Ann-Marie Grant, head of estates development with NHS West Essex, said: “We are delighted Rydon came through a rigorous tender process and have been appointed.

“We look forward to working closely with them to complete what will be a state-of-the-art facility in Ongar.”

Toni Coles, NHS West Essex director of primary care and localities, said: “The appointment of the main contractor and the first signs of work on the site brings the long-awaited new medical centre a giant step closer.

“The facilities will be a major boost for healthcare in the Ongar area.”

Concerns remain over parking provision at the hospital with just 21 spaces provided for patients and visitors.

A spokesman for NHS West Essex said: “If patients can’t find a space at the medical centre they can park at the leisure centre and we will install a crossing to make it safer for them to do so.”