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Firm sued for £6.6m road repair Firm sued for £6.6m road repair
(19 minutes later)
An engineering firm is being sued over work done on the A5 in north Wales by the Welsh Assembly Government.An engineering firm is being sued over work done on the A5 in north Wales by the Welsh Assembly Government.
Ministers are taking Morgan Est to the High Court claiming damages of £6.6m for repairs needed between Dinmael, Conwy and Ty Nant, Denbighshire.Ministers are taking Morgan Est to the High Court claiming damages of £6.6m for repairs needed between Dinmael, Conwy and Ty Nant, Denbighshire.
Improvement work had been finished in 1996 but a 1km section had to be closed in May 2006 for repairs to a rock face after an inspection found problems.Improvement work had been finished in 1996 but a 1km section had to be closed in May 2006 for repairs to a rock face after an inspection found problems.
The company has been asked to comment on the action over a predecessor firm. The company said it would deny the claims and defend the action.
Miller Civil Engineering, based in Rugby, Warwickshire, undertook the original improvement work and the the legal action is being taken against Morgan Est, its successor company.Miller Civil Engineering, based in Rugby, Warwickshire, undertook the original improvement work and the the legal action is being taken against Morgan Est, its successor company.
A spokeswoman for the firm said: "We can confirm that this was a project carried out by a civil engineering company, which is now part of Morgan Est, in the mid-90s and these issues arose after the acquisition of the company in 2001.
"We will be denying the allegations and defending the action. Relationships with the Welsh assembly remain cordial."
The A5 is a major trunk road in north Wales and its closure was described at the time by an AM as "a nightmare for motorists and traders who rely on passing trade".The A5 is a major trunk road in north Wales and its closure was described at the time by an AM as "a nightmare for motorists and traders who rely on passing trade".
Drivers faced a 20-mile (32km) diversion via Bala, Gwynedd while the repairs were carried out, but a part of the old A5 was opened to cope with traffic instead.Drivers faced a 20-mile (32km) diversion via Bala, Gwynedd while the repairs were carried out, but a part of the old A5 was opened to cope with traffic instead.
The section reopened in June 2006 but with a 7.5 tonnes weight restriction.The section reopened in June 2006 but with a 7.5 tonnes weight restriction.
A 1km section later reopened with a 7.5 tonne weight restrictionA 1km section later reopened with a 7.5 tonne weight restriction
The dispute between assembly ministers and the Morgan Est focuses on rock anchorages used in high-sided cuttings along the route.The dispute between assembly ministers and the Morgan Est focuses on rock anchorages used in high-sided cuttings along the route.
The assembly government's case is that work carried out by Miller Civil Engineering had not been carried out in a good or workmanlike manner.The assembly government's case is that work carried out by Miller Civil Engineering had not been carried out in a good or workmanlike manner.
Improvement work on the A5 was finished in 1996.Improvement work on the A5 was finished in 1996.
But a routine inspection in 2003 found two rock anchorages had corroded while the heads and faceplates of others had deteriorated.But a routine inspection in 2003 found two rock anchorages had corroded while the heads and faceplates of others had deteriorated.
The road was reopened fully in July 2007 and work on the anchorages was completed in October 2007.The road was reopened fully in July 2007 and work on the anchorages was completed in October 2007.
The assembly government's claim is for more than £6.6m for the cost of the works plus VAT and interest.The assembly government's claim is for more than £6.6m for the cost of the works plus VAT and interest.
A Welsh Assembly Government spokesperson said: "We can confirm that legal proceedings have been served on Morgan Est PLC and that the matter is now being dealt with by the High Court."A Welsh Assembly Government spokesperson said: "We can confirm that legal proceedings have been served on Morgan Est PLC and that the matter is now being dealt with by the High Court."
Morgan Est has been asked to comment.