AN OVERNIGHT facility for students with special needs has reopened following problems with shower rooms and water temperature.

Lonsdale School’s residential department closed for 10 days earlier this month after issues with specialist shower rooms and fluctuating water temperatures at the site in Brittain Way, Stevenage.

The 26-bed facility gives Lonsdale pupils the opportunity to stay for two nights a week for extended learning and life skills, a Hertfordshire County Council spokesman said.

The department had opened upon the completion of Marriotts Lonsdale School by contractors Balfour Beatty at the start of January but was shut between January 28 and February 8.

A county council spokesman said: “The contractors, working with manufacturers, have repaired the affected shower units and we’re pleased to say the department is now fully operational. It is not uncommon to have issues to resolve on a project of this scale.”

County councillor Robin Parker said: “As the local county councillor for Chells I’m disappointed I was not told about this. It seems to me there have been a long list of problems and I cannot get answers because they are being dealt with Balfour Beatty and not the council.”