Investment in hospital facilities in west Hertfordshire, and in Watford in particular, has been a long time coming.

It’s easy to forget that proposals have been drawn up for years but only now does it seem like the buildings are going to get the investment they so badly need.

We saw how desperate the state of Watford General Hospital is at the peak of the pandemic when the hospital had to declare a critical incident due to issues with its oxygen system, while some ambulances were diverted away when a pipe burst at A&E in the summer.

These are not risks that should be taken with any public building, let alone at a hospital. Now we know Watford General will be redeveloped, it still remains to be seen exactly what will be built – and where.

The crunch time will be when the trust delivers its business case to the Government next year to get the cash needed to get the project going. New hospital campaigners have fought and fought – and although yesterday was a blow, they still have one trick up their sleeve.

There is a judicial review to come – the decision making of West Herts NHS Trust and Herts Valleys CCG is to be scrutinised by the courts this month.

Maybe the battle is not over yet.