Road building schemes 54% over-budget

Road construction projects completed in the past year have cost 54% more than was budgeted for, according to research by the Campaign for Better Transport.

Figures obtained by the CfBT under the Freedom of Information Act show that 11 of the 16 major schemes finished during 2008/09 cost more than the budget at 'programme entry', the point at which the government decides a scheme can proceed.

If road schemes currently under construction are added to the figures, the total programme could be £3.9bn over budget, the CfBT claims.

Road projects completed in the past year with the highest cost over-runs include:

• A2 Bean-Cobham Phase 2, which increased from £35m to £130m (271.4%);
• M6 Carlisle-Guardsmill, a jump from £46m to £118m (256%).
• A14 Haughley New Street-Stowarket, up from £10m to £38m (250%).

The CfBT said cost over-runs tend to be greatest for road schemes with a long delay between government sign-off and work starting on site. The A2 scheme was signed off in July 1998 but construction did not commence until September 2006.