Liberal Democrats have pressed for Herts County Council to be compensated by the contractor for the costs of fixing the various design and build errors caused by the contractors building the new London Road Fire Station.

County Councillor Rob Prowse, a councillor for St Albans, asked during the full meeting of the County Council last week: ‘Can you let us know the costs of remedial works and whether this contractor will continue to be used on other projects?’

The Conservative administration confirmed that it was finally seeking compensation and was sympathetic to the idea of the contractor being removed from the county’s approved list. He added that legal action was now being considered.

Rob commented: ‘A number of us highlighted this problem numerous times and I am delighted that the Administration finally realises that it should use its spending power to ensure that the public do not lose out because of shoddy work and shoddy planning. The county property department should have been on the case months if not years ago – but as usual nothing was done until Lib Dem councillors intervened.’