TALKS are being held to establish who is liable for work to replace bolts on London’s second-tallest building which has so far cost a North Yorkshire firm nearly £1 million.

Thirsk-based structural steel firm Severfield was part of the construction group behind the Leadenhall Building in London, nicknamed The Cheesegrater.

Although it was completed in 2013, the skyscraper has seen three large bolts fall from its structure over the last three months due a process called hydrogen embrittlement, which causes them to fracture.

A programme to replace dozens of metre-long bolts is now under way, and is expected to continue for the rest of the year.

Severfield says it has already incurred costs of nearly £1 million in relation to the replacement programme, which is being carried out in conjunction with the construction group’s other parties which includes British Land, Laing O’Rourke and Arup.

In a statement the Severfield group said: “While these works progress, all parties continue discussions to agree where the liability for the costs of the programme should rest.”

Severfield’s overall trading performance was said to be in line with management expectations. The contractor said it has focused on operational and margin improvements, rather than revenue. The UK order book of £194 million had strengthened further in recent months, Severfield added, and provided a “solid platform” for a return to revenue growth.