LIB DEM critics have slammed a major county council reorganisation which is going millions over budget as costs soar.

The project, known as the Way We Work (TW3) has involved the progressive closure over the last two years of nearly 50 offices and buildings, with staff such as social workers concentrated in Stevenage, Hemel Hempstead and Hertford.

It has also included the use of extra technology to enable staff to work in offices besides their usual base, reducing travelling time.

But the projected costs of about £16 million, spread over both this year and next, are now projected to over-run by nearly 25 per cent.

Lib Dem spokesman Paul Goggins said: “Only a few weeks ago, councillors and the public received a glowing report on the progress of TW3. Now we know that the original estimates were wide of the mark.'”

Party spokeswoman Susan Gaszczack said: “This was supposed to save money, and maybe in the long term it will, but meanwhile it is costing millions.”

 Tory Councillor David Lloyd, who as cabinet member for resources is responsible for the authority's finances, responded: “The Way We Work project has been extremely successful in supporting county council staff in their delivery of services.

“It has put the county council in a much stronger position to meet the challenges facing us in the future.

“The project is continuing to deliver significant benefits and is allowing staff to work more efficiently and flexibly, amounting to savings in staff time which are difficult to quantify.

“The cost of the project rose by an additional £2 million per annum from those known at the outset, but this doesn't detract from the fact that this is a highly successful project, which will continue to deliver benefits for our staff and the people of Hertfordshire for many years to come.”