Costs treble for Hatton road scheme to new development

Warwickshire County Council increased the budget of the road scheme to £2.2m

The cost of work to create an access route to a new housing development has more than trebled in four years, council officials said.

Warwickshire County Council approved an increase to the budget of the A4177 Birmingham Road improvement scheme in Hatton, near Warwick.

The project's budget was raised from an original £600,000 to £2.2m.

The council said developer delays resulted in "significant construction cost increases" due to inflation. 

"In addition, new working restrictions that could not have been reasonably foreseen have been introduced which impact upon the overall construction programme," a report by the local authority added.

"As a consequence of the changes, the new estimated value is £2.2m."

The cost will be covered by housing developer Taylor Wimpey on the condition that work will only begin once a bond was paid to the council.

The additional £1.6m, added to the council's budget for 2023-24, was signed off by deputy leader Peter Butlin on Friday.

The road improvement works will also involve the widening of the A4177, the construction of a pedestrian crossing and surfacing and drainage works.

The Union View housing development, near Hatton Locks and a short distance from Warwick Castle, will have a mix of two, three, four and five-bedroom homes.

Objectors to the plans had raised traffic and congestion concerns and suggested the site should instead be accessed by nearby Ebrington Drive.

But an assessment found "direct access from the A4177 which complies fully with the relevant design standards" could be achieved.