51 road projects blow their £1.33bn budget by £671m

More than 50 road construction and upgrade schemes have run over budget to the tune of £671m, according to the Department for Transport (DfT).

Documents released by the department show 51 road schemes have climbed from £1.33bn since they were approved to £2bn.

One of the biggest overspends was a new Carlisle bypass which has risen by £92m to £170m.

According to the Guardian, the DfT may force councils to bear the costs of the overruns, but will also consider applications for extra funds to cover the increases.

The agency has long been criticised for budget blowouts, with a report by Mike Nicholls demanding the Highways Agency improve reporting and control of cost.

But the DfT said the latest overruns were not its fault because the budget estimates had been drawn up by local authorities.