The construction of Dover’s long awaited town centre hospital is expected to begin this autumn and should be open by summer 2011.

The news follows the signing of a £20 million contract between East Kent Hospitals University NHS Trust and Interserve Project Services to create the community hospital in Maison Dieu Road.

It will mean the town will have its own day hospital complete with a minor injuries unit, outpatient department, minor procedures suite and satellite renal dialysis, as well as a child health and birthing unit.

Dover MP Gwyn Prosser said the new hospital would fit in well with the town centre development.

He added: “Now that the contract has been signed we can look forward to the building works starting, and more especially to the proposed opening in the summer of 2011.”

Leader of the district council Cllr Paul Watkins, a former nurse at the Buckland Hospital, said the signing of the contract was “excellent news”.

“It removes the uncertainty around accessible health facilities for the people of Dover and the sooner the building is completed, the better,” he said.

Lorraine Sencicle, member of the disbanded PCT Patient Public Involvement Forum, has campaigned for improved hospital services for the district’s residents. She said: “I am delighted."

There have also been fears of serious traffic implications for drivers and residents in the Maison Dieu Road and Pencester Road area.