Long Stratton bypass costs go up by nearly a quarter due to inflation, Norfolk County Council reveal
Rising inflation has meant the cost of delivering the Long Stratton bypass has shot up by almost a quarter, it has been revealed.
The latest cost projections by Norfolk County Council estimate that rampant inflation, coupled with new development requirements, will see the cost of the long-awaited project rise by £8.789 million to £46.23 million.
The council has said it remains “fully committed to overcoming these obstacles” and is now exploring new avenues of funding to bridge the gap.
The original scheme to build a 2.4 mile single carriageway around Long Stratton was fully funded in part by a contribution of £26.2 million from the Department for Transport, and scheduled for completion in 2025.
Beyond the impact of inflation – which is set to rise to 13.1 per cent this year – planning permission has been halted due to concerns over the environmental impact of the project.
Natural England warned that development could put burdens on the surrounding water environment – prompting archaeological investigations by the council and ultimately, further costs.
Councillor Martin Wilby, cabinet member for highways, infrastructure and transport at the council, remained confident that the bypass would soon be up and running.
He said: “Delivery of the long-awaited and much needed Long Stratton Bypass remains a key infrastructure priority for Norfolk County Council, which will deliver jobs and important economic growth across our whole region and make a real difference to people’s lives, particularly for residents in the town itself.
“The issues we face are not unique to our County.
“The impact of planning delays and inflation cost pressures are being felt across the whole country and beyond, particularly in the construction sector and are broadly inline with the increases we have seen elsewhere.
“We remain fully committed to overcoming these obstacles and are seeking to put ourselves in the strongest position possible to move forward at pace as soon as we are able to make this project a reality for the people of Norfolk”.
Residents in Long Stratton have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of the bypass, which promises to ease the heavy volume of traffic travelling through the town every day as commuters make their way between south Norfolk and Norwich.
A report to go before members of Norfolk County Council’s Cabinet next month will set out the way forward for the project following the setback.
Provided all necessary approvals are completed in time, construction on the project will commence in early 2024, with the new road set to open to motorists before the end of 2025.