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| EADT, by Lisa Cleverdon, 17 March 2006 |
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| DELAYS to the completion of a long-awaited road improvement project have cost taxpayers £2million, it has emerged. |
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| Politicians are demanding urgent answers from highways bosses about the cost of the A14 Rookery Crossroads scheme, at Rougham, near Bury St Edmunds, which officially opened recently. |
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| The scheme was budgeted to cost £10m, but a six-month delay in finishing, caused by unforeseen highways work not included in the original contract, meant the total cost of the project ran to £12m. |
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| Last night, Bury St Edmunds MP David Ruffley demanded answers over the delays and “spiralling costs” of the scheme, which has provided improved and safer access to and from the A14. |
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| “The opening of the Rookery Crossroads was a very welcome day. However, taxpayers have every right to question the delays to the project and the spiralling costs that resulted,” he said. “These improvements were vital to road safety but when a project is completed six months late and well over budget, questions have to be asked of those in charge.” |
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| In a letter to Archie Robertson, chief executive of the Highways Agency, Mr Ruffley also asked for assurances over the “better management” of any future road safety improvements along the A14. |
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“I have asked that everything will be done to ensure future projects on our county's main trunk road, such as proposed improvements to the Haughley bends, will be better managed and arrive on time, and at their projected cost,” he said.
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| The Rookery Crossroads, which was unveiled on Friday, included the straightening of the busy carriageway, improved slip roads and the addition of an underpass allowing cars to bypass the main road. |
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| But extra work, including unexpected repairs to the existing A14, the excavation of hard material and drainage work, meant the project did not run to its original schedule. |
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| St Edmundsbury Borough Councillor Sara Mildmay-White, ward member for Rougham, said someone had to be held accountable for the delays. |
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| “It is taxpayers' money at the end of the day so we should have an explanation as to why this has happened,” she said. |
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| “The Highways Agency must deal with projects like this on a daily basis and should be clued-up. |
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| “Local residents are thrilled with the fact the work is finally complete, and there is no doubt that it looks good. |
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| “But an investigation needs to take place and lessons need to be learned so the same thing doesn't happen again with future projects.” |
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| Minor resurfacing work at the east end of the Rookery Crossroads scheme is due to be completed later this month. |
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| A Highways Agency spokeswoman said: “The delay in completion and additional work identified during construction has increased the scheme costs. However, this will be limited by invoking penalty clauses on the contractor. |
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| “The Agency will be analysing the final cost closely to see why this overrun has occurred and what lessons can be learned for the future.” |
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