Hertfordsire Politicians have come together chase £550m funding for hospital redevelopment.

Three council leaders and two MPs in Hertfordshire have written to Health Secretary Sajid Javid, asking fo updates on when funding will be made available for Watford General Hospital.

The letter was from Liberal Democrats Peter Taylor, elected Mayor of Watford; Sarah Nelmes, leader of Three Rivers Council; Chris White, leader of St Albans City and District Council; and Daisy Cooper, MP for St Albans; and Dean Russell, Conservative MP for Watford.

In July, Watford Borough Council backed outline plans to rebuild the hospital.

Under proposals, for a significant rebuild, the majority of wards would be housed in three blocks, potentially 17 storeys high, built next to the current site.

Mayor Taylor, who co-ordinated the letter, said: “Redevelopment of the hospital is an important and much-needed investment that will benefit everyone who uses Watford General.”

The fact that there has been no progress on this in the last few months is very worrying for all of us who have worked so hard to bring forward this excellent proposal.”We can’t afford to let this project be delayed any longer.”