The decked car park at the Houldsworth Centre is now open to patients.

The car park is free to use and will have spaces for 243 vehicles including disabled parking.

Graham Johnston, NHS Lanarkshire’s head of management services said: “We’re delighted that the new car park is now open and expect this to deliver a major improvement to parking provision in the local area.

“It’s a significant increase in capacity over the previous parking arrangements and will be of great benefit to patients and the local community.”

Entrance to the new car park is via Kenilworth Avenue.

There is a designated drop off area on Library Road outside the Houldsworth Centre and drivers are reminded that it is not for parking.

Councillor Willie Hogg, convener of North Lanarkshire Council’s corporate services committee, said: “The new car park is the final element to complete the Houldsworth Centre development, which has brought vital health and council services together in the heart of Wishaw town centre.

“The car park along with recently completed improvements to the bus stops, pedestrian crossing and road layout in front of the building will benefit local people using the services in the Houldsworth Centre as well as the wider town centre.”

The Houldsworth Centre is also well served by public transport and is located close to established bus and rail routes.