Council increases budget for road after costs soar

Norfolk County Council said there had been a "significant increase" in the costs of the West Winch access road

A council has agreed to increase its budget to help build a road for a major housing development, after its expected costs rose by millions of pounds.

An access road is needed in order for a 4,000-home development in West Winch, near King’s Lynn, to go ahead.

Norfolk County Council said the price of the road had risen from £84.5m to £109.2m, due to a “significant increase” in costs.

The authority’s cabinet members agreed to increase its contribution to the project from £3.8m to £5.2m, with it bidding for the rest of the funding from the government. The Department for Transport has said it is reviewing its spending plans.

Transport Secretary Louise Haigh said she had commissioned a review on her department's spending plans

In a statement on infrastructure in July, Transport Secretary Louise Haigh said her department would “move quickly to make recommendations about current and future schemes”.

Last week, the plans for West Winch moved forward, with the first 1,100 homes given planning approval by King’s Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council.

But the full development relies on the access road – which would link the A47 to the A10 - in preparation for the increased traffic the homes will produce.

The county council submitted its bid for funding from the government in September last year, but a meeting of its cabinet members heard projected costs of the project had risen by a more than £25m.

A report said the increase was down to several factors, including rising construction costs, inflation and work needed to divert two high-pressure gas mains.

It is expected a decision will be made by October this year, having been delayed in the spring.

The 1.5-mile stretch of road would connect the A47 to the A10

Kay Mason Billig, leader of the Conservative-controlled council, said:

“We need the government to make a decision on this. Any delay costs us more money.”

If funding is granted, the council said the likely start of construction has been pushed back, from spring/summer next year to 2026.