Concerns 'bridge to nowhere' could cost millions

A delayed and over-budget construction project dubbed the "bridge to nowhere" may have cost taxpayers millions of pounds, councillors have warned.

The £38m bridge over the A46 Stoneleigh Junction, near Kenilworth in Warwickshire, was due to be completed in the summer of 2022.

However, it remains unconnected and unused amid issues with sourcing materials and a dispute between the council and contractors Colas.

Warwickshire County Council said it recognised how frustrating the delay was for residents, commuters and businesses and apologised.

At a recent meeting, the local authority's deputy leader Peter Butlin, Conservative, said an additional £16m was also required to fund a "design alteration" for the project.

However, Liberal Democrat councillor Richard Dickson said the figure would "shock local taxpayers".

"What we do know is that the project is now forecast to need an extra £16m, and possibly more," he said.

"The negotiation seems to be going on and on with no end in sight. The continued mismanagement of this over-budget and long-delayed project was compounded by this unexpected revelation."

Dickson added he had been asking for taxpayers to be given a timetable for the "bridge to nowhere" to be completed and said it was a "huge embarrassment" which needed fixing,

Green councillor Tracey Drew said residents in Kenilworth were "fed up" with the long-term disruption from the project.

She said she was repeatedly being asked whether negotiations with contractors would be concluded and when a solution would be reached.

"The lack of any meaningful information or updates is frustrating, particularly as us taxpayers are being left with the huge bill of well over £50m," she said in a statement.

The county council confirmed it was working with the contractor and National Highways on a redesign because a lack of available materials meant the original scheme could not be built.

"This unavailability arose well into the term of the contract and could not have been anticipated," a spokesperson added.

"The new design and approval process needs to be finalised and priced before we can provide final estimated costs and revised completion timescale."

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

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