Waste recycling project over budget, says council

A waste recycling project in March, Cambridgeshire, had gone over budget, councillors have been told

A town's household waste recycling centre project has gone over budget by more than half a million pounds, council members have been told.

The initial cost estimate for the new centre in March, Cambridgeshire, was £3.4m.

Cambridgeshire County Council officers have said they now think the project will cost about another £575,000.

Figures have been outlined in a report due to be debated by members of a council committee on Thursday.

'Increased capital cost'

The report, which has been published online, is due to be discussed at an Environment and Green Investment Committee meeting.

It "indicates" that "capital costs will exceed the original capital budget allocation of £3.4m by approximately £576,000".

Officers have recommended that the committee approves construction at an "increased capital cost".

They said not proceeding would have "consequential implications".

'Standards'

The council has said that a new permanent facility would offer "increased capacity" to meet the needs of a growing population.

Officials said it would also meet "best practice operational" standards and health and safety standards.

The authority said it provides recycling centres so that residents could conveniently dispose of household waste safely and free of charge.

Peterborough's household recycling centre was recently closed for a short period after an "unforeseen driver shortage" caused backlogs.