Images: Wikimedia Commons
The company that operates Swansea’s Liberty Stadium is suing Interserve and Swansea Council over alleged defects discovered after its construction.
Swansea Stadium Management Company (SSMC) originally began seeking £1.3m in damages on 4 April last year.
It lodged two claims against Interserve: firstly that the design and construction of the concourse flooring at the stadium and the supply, construction and painting of the steelwork were defective; and secondly that the contractor failed to identify and rectify the flooring and/or paintwork defects, as required under its contractual obligations.
In its defence in November last year, Interserve argued that the claims were time barred because the claim came four days after the 12-year anniversary of the date of completion (on 31 March 2005) and applied to have the claims struck out.
In a judgement issued following a hearing in June this year, Mrs Justice O’Farrrell ruled that SSMC could not proceed with its claim that the design and construction of the stadium were defective.
However, she said that the stadium operator could continue with the second part of its claim, namely that Interserve allegedly failed to identify and rectify the flooring and/or paintwork defects.
Meanwhile Swansea Council confirmed that it had made a similar application to strike out part of SSMC’s claim against it, which it said was "partially successful".
A Swansea Council spokesperson said: "Swansea Stadium Management Company, which is wholly owned by Swansea City AFC, has commenced proceedings in the High Court against the council and Interserve Construction for alleged defects to the paintwork protection system on the structural steelwork of the stadium and alleged defects to the concourse flooring.
“The council has clearly stated that we are not responsible for the alleged defects and we will robustly defend our position in order to protect Swansea taxpayers’ money.
“We are unable to comment in detail on the nature of the claim and the issues in dispute as these are the subject of the ongoing litigation.”
A spokesperson for SSMC said: "We are limited in how we can respond due to the ongoing court case. However, it is imperative that it is made clear that there are no safety concerns with the Liberty Stadium."
The case has been listed for trial on 29 October at the High Court.
Interserve has been contacted for comment.
