Steel prices blamed for bridge cost increase

The Hampton Bridge was estimated to cost £4.26 million in 2021

The price of steel was blamed for the increased cost of a walking and cycling bridge.

Councillors have questioned why the cost of building the Hampton Bridge in Evesham, Worcestershire, has more than trebled from an estimated £4.26m in 2021.

Councillor Matt Jenkins said it was an increase of 375%, to £16m, which could not all down to the cost of steel.

Mark Bayliss, the county council's highways chief, said the price of steel had significantly inceased and that the bridge and the walkway was a significant structure.

“This is a significant structure, not just the bridge but the walkway, which is above the floodplain, is also a steel construction. That accounts for the majority of the increase," he said.

He added that in 2021, when permission was granted for the bridge, the council did not have a design for the Hampton bridge, only an outline.

The bridge being built is “significantly longer” than what was first suggested because it spans a historic meadow as well as the Avon.

Maybe the council should wait until it had a design and a better idea of costs before coming forward with projects, so councillors can make informed decisions, Jenkins said.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.