Having just listened to the evening news and listening to the ongoing debate about sub-standard materials and workmanship applicable to the refurbishment of Grenfell, you have to wonder why this disaster ever happened.

I am a retired local authority clerk of works and during my time employed on such projects, I would be on site ensuring that the materials being used by the contractor complied to the contract documents and workmanship was to an acceptable standard and that fire stopping and fire compartmentation was completed to the correct standard.

Unfortunately, the role of a clerk of works would now seem to be unaffordable on local authority projects resulting in these checks not being carried out.

I can’t see the situation improving.

MIKE WATKINS

Poole