Westbury bypass - the costs (South West Wiltshire Liberal Democrats)

South West Wiltshire Liberal Democrats <info@swwiltshirelibdems.org.uk>

Westbury bypass - the costs

December 15, 2010 6:05 PM

Here are Wiltshire Council's responses to questions From John Bowley about the money wasted on preparing for the doomed Westbury Eastern Bypass scheme

Question 1 - Is it correct that £5.282 million had previously been set aside for capital expenditure on the now defunct Westbury Bypass scheme?

Response - The budget for 2009/10 for Westbury Bypass was £5.828m assuming the scheme was approved. Approx 90% of this budget would have been funded by the Department for Transport (DfT).

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Question 2 - Is it correct that this £5.282 million has now in effect been a 'saving' which has been used to offset a deficit elsewhere?

Response - No funding will now be received from the DfT. Wiltshire's 2009/10 contribution to the scheme less the closing down costs will be returned back to the County Fund.

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Question 3 - Does the transfer of 'costs' to the revenue account refer to this total figure or to additional costs incurred after cancellation of the scheme? What in-year adjustments are envisaged to the revenue account during 2009-10 to reflect the cessation of the Westbury Bypass project?

Response - The transfer of costs to the revenue account refers to costs incurred by Wiltshire Council previously charged as capital. It is anticipated that the amount will be £4.448 million in 2008/2009 accounts and £0.250 million in the 2009/2010 accounts.

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Question 4 - Please provide a breakdown of the previously proposed capital expenditure on the Westbury Bypass scheme into intended construction cost contribution, fees, other etc.

Response - Expected costs from April 2009 had the scheme gone ahead:

Total scheme cost £34.719m

DfT funding £30.984m

Wiltshire Council contribution £3.735m

DfT funds 50% of preparation costs after scheme approval and 90% of scheme cost.

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Question 5 - Please provide a summary breakdown of costs to date incurred by Wiltshire Council on the Westbury Bypass scheme, inclusive of fees, officer time, relevant other time, planning inquiry expenditure, winding-up costs, contract cancellation fees etc.

Response - Expenditure originally charged to Capital on the Westbury Bypass scheme to 31st March 09 totalled £4.448 million and broken down below. It is anticipated that a further £0.250 million will be incurred during the 2009/10 financial year.

Costs incurred to 31st March 2009:

Highways Consultant Fees £2.838m

Ground Investigations / Hydrological Assessment £0.534m

Other Prof Fees / Surveys / ECI Process / Utilities £0.532m

Compensation to Landowners/Legal costs for inquiry £0.317m

Officer Time £0.184m

Other £0.043m

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Question 6 was about the scheme of delegation.

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Question 7 - What are the costs of the Westbury Station Road railway over-bridge restrictions?

Response - Expected cost approx £70,000 for manufacture and installation of signs (incl. fees) will be funded by Network Rail.

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Question 8 - What is the approximate estimated cost for renovating the Westbury Station Road railway over-bridge for unrestricted full use?

Response - Discussions with Network Rail are in progress to establish the scope and cost of the work required. It will be some time before reliable cost estimates can be given.