Work has officially begun to knock down "derelict" doctors' flats at Epsom General Hospital.

The second phrase of the scheduled project resumed on Monday this week (September 17) after staff were informed earlier this month.

An email was sent to Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust staff on September 13, seen by Epsom Guardian, by head of capital projects, estates and facilities Aidan Hardy.

It means the service road between Woodcote flats and the doctors’ flats, by the side of Rowan House, are shut – with no parking available around the area - according to the email.

The third phase will begin on September 21 and finish on September 24.

A spokeswoman for the trust confirmed the demolition of the “derelict” doctors’ accommodation has taken place.

She added the buildings had been empty for “some time” and they were in “such a bad state” of repair, needing more money to bring it back than to repurpose them.

Knocking down the building “is actually safer and cheaper”.

Instead, staff will be allocated more modern accommodation “which is of a much higher quality, and feedback from our doctors and other staff has been great”.

But the spokeswoman underlined the demolition is unrelated Epsom and St Helier’s ongoing land sales.