Proposed new junction cost rises to £70m

Derbyshire County Council said inflation contributed to the initial cost of £37.5m increasing

The cost of a new junction south of Derby, paving the way for 4,500 homes and 5,000 jobs, has escalated to £70m - almost doubling its original budget.

The proposed A50 junction between Sinfin and Chellaston and a link road to a planned development, known as the Infinity Garden Village, is now priced at £70.4m, according to a report.

In October 2021, Derbyshire County Council - which is leading the project - was awarded £49.6m by the government after the initial cost of £37.5m increased to £55.6m.

The authority said inflation had contributed to the increased cost, but work was due to start next month and expected to be completed in 2029.

The proposed A50 junction will be built between Sinfin and Chellaston

Work on the new junction had been due to start in 2023 and be complete this year, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

However, since the project was granted planning approval in 2021 it has been left in limbo for more than two years.

The scheme links in with Infinity Garden Village plans, which have been decades in the making.

A Derbyshire County Council spokesperson said: "We continue to work with our partners as this infrastructure project remains a priority, bringing forward up to 4,500 new homes and 3.45 million sq ft of new commercial floorspace.

"However, as can often be the case with large construction projects, the delivery programme has experienced delays and we are awaiting confirmation from government that the revised timescales are agreed.

"Inflation has also impacted the estimated cost of the project so the news that the East Midlands Combined County Authority is proposing to contribute £1.5m towards the scheme is very welcome and will help keep the work progressing."