Health chiefs are launching a massive exercise to hear the public’s views on where Coventry’s new super hospital should be sited.

Arguments have raged for weeks over whether it should be built on the outskirts where the Walsgrave General Hospital is on a huge site, or on the cramped city centre site currently housing the Coventry & Warwickshire Hospital.

Health officials favour Walsgrave but the City Council and many local people say it should be close to the city centre where people can reach it more easily.

A forty-page consultation document has been drawn up by health chiefs explaining all the issues surrounding the new hospital.

Coventry Health Authority approved the document yesterday and Warwickshire Health Authority was due to approve it today.

Copies of the document will be made available over the next few days. Coventry Health Authority has set up a Freefone number 0800-137799, for people who would like to obtain a copy either of the document or a four page summary of its contents.

In one of the largest surveys of public opinion ever conducted in Coventry groups are being invited to meet the Health bosses by telephoning Karen Railton on 552225.

Coventry residents can make comments on the plans in writing to Chris Howgrave-Graham, Chief Executive, Coventry Health Authority, Christchurch House, Greyfriars Lane, Coventry CV1 2GQ.

Warwickshire residents should write to Alan Mills, Acting Chief Executive, Warwickshire Health Authority, Westgate House, Market Street, Warwick CV34 4DE.

The joint consultation exercise will last for three months after which a decision will be made as to where the hospital is to be built.