Boris defends Shoddy Shepherd's Bush Market works

I reported here that questions had been raised about what I called "shoddy" works that had been carried out by a cheapo contractor that left a complete mess in their wake. A sub standard and potentially dangerous 'path' with sharp metal bits sticking out, perfect to trip over.

Not what the Shepherd's Bush market Traders had been given to expect by Transport for London, who own the site.

Picking up on the report Caroline Pidgeon, Leader of the Lib Dems on the London Assembly asked these questions, which were answered recently by mayor Boris Johnson. The question and answer is below.

He appears to say that the contractors will have to clear up their mess at no extra cost (ambitious, but good luck) and that the figures that the Shepherd's Bush Market Traders Association had been quoting for what Transport for London had spent on the work were wrong. Why the Mayor of London chose to add that last bit in, having a go at the Traders who after all were the wronged party in this mess, probably says a lot more about the Mayor than it does about them. Just fix the work, Boris and leave the petty politics out of it. We deserve better than that.

“Shoddy” work in Shepherds Bush (2)

Question No: 1940 / 2010

Caroline Pidgeon
Will you investigate why the market traders in Shepherds Bush seem so unhappy about the expensive works that have been carried out on the path that runs through the market, and also investigate why the costs were so high for this job in the first place?

Answer from the Mayor:
Some aspects of recent path re-surfacing and drainage works by a contractor at Shepherd’s Bush Market have been undertaken to a less than satisfactory standard. We were working with the contractor to have any defects rectified by 6 June at no additional cost to the public purse.
The works were competitively tendered via TfL Group Procurement and compliant bids were received from three contractors. Following a technical and commercial evaluation against pre-determined criteria, the contract was awarded to the lowest compliant bidder but not at the value that had been stated by the Shepherds Bush Market Tenants’ Association.

“Shoddy” work in Shepherds Bush (1)

Question No: 1939 / 2010

Caroline Pidgeon
There have been recent media reports regarding the market traders in Shepherds Bush being furious about “shoddy” works carried out on TfL land which runs through Shepherds Bush market. What action has TfL taken in rectifying this?


Answer from the Mayor:
Some aspects of recent path re-surfacing and drainage works by a contractor at Shepherd’s Bush Market have been undertaken to a less than satisfactory standard.
TfL is demanding the contractor have any defects rectified by 6 June at no additional cost to the public purse.