M3 scheme escapes Labour's VFM review as cost soars

13/03/2025 | CHRIS AMES

M3 scheme escapes Labour's VFM review as cost soars

Ministers have claimed credit for backing a longstanding road scheme that Labour froze under its Transport Infrastructure Review, whose costs rose by around half in the meantime.

On Thursday transport Secretary Heidi Alexander announced that National Highways’ M3 Junction 9 improvement scheme, which will add free-flowing links between the M3 and the A34 in both directions, will go ahead after all.

The scheme falls under the 2020-25 Road Investment Strategy (RIS) and was granted a Development Consent Order under the previous government in May 2024.

Three months later it was included in the new government’s review of the Department for Transport's (DfT) spending portfolio and effectively frozen.

Despite her government being responsible for previously blocking the scheme, Ms Alexander said: ‘We’re building rather than blocking, so that we can get our economy growing.

‘Approving these works, and the 2,000 homes it will support, is just another milestone on the way to delivering 1.5 million homes in this Parliament as part of our Plan for Change.’

 

The National Highways webpage still gives the cost of the scheme as £190m to £210m, but the DfT said it will now cost £290m.

This works out at £145,000 for each of the 2,000 homes, which represent one seven-hundred-and-fiftieth of the 1.5 million target.

The scheme’s webpage gives its start date as 2024-25 but the National Highways’ recently published 2024-25 delivery plan update put this back to 2025-26.

The scheme will see the number of lanes on the M3 increased from three to four through the junction, as it passes under a wider gyratory, with new routes for pedestrians, cyclists, and horse riders also built.

Transport Action Network said it was shocked at the announcement, which it called ‘a very expensive way of encouraging more housebuilding’

Director Chris Todd said: ‘The original figures presented to the Examination and the Secretary of State included inflation and other risks. So why have costs shot up by over a third to £290m in only two years?

‘It can only be that National Highways is hiding the true cost of its schemes in order to get them approved, or is incredibly bad at its job. Either way it is a damning indictment of National Highways and illustrates why it should be scrapped.’

He added: ‘In this instance there were no legal challenges for the government to blame and the scheme’s already questionable business case should have meant it was binned.’

The DfT claimed National Highways will be introducing 22.2 acres of ‘ancient chalk grassland’.

However, the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust has said the scheme will destroy and further fragment important protected habitats in Winnall Moors Nature Reserve and cause local declines in wildlife.

Highways InProfile

latest magazine issue
Highways jobs

Traffic Management Technician - WMF2240e

£28,598 - £29,540
Westmorland and Furness Council is seeking a committed and technically capable individual to join our Traffic Management Team Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Senior Technician-Road Closures

£35,422 - £38,730
The Network Planning division is seeking to appoint someone who is enthusiastic and a team player Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Technician - Road Closures (2 Posts)

£29,719 - £31,691
The Network Planning division is seeking to appoint someone who is enthusiastic, an excellent team player Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Structures Inspector

£Competitive
We are excited to offer a fantastic opportunity for two Permanent Structure Inspectors to join our dynamic SBIM team Bristol
Recruiter: Amey

Highways Maintenance Operative

£Competitive
We have fantastic opportunities for a permanent Highways Maintenance Operatives Kettering, Northamptonshire
Recruiter: Amey

Site Manager

£Competitive
We are excited to offer a fantastic opportunity for a Permanent Site Manager Bristol
Recruiter: Amey

Principal Commercial Manager

£Competitive
The SBIM contract involves delivering inspection and maintenance programmes for National Highways Bristol
Recruiter: Amey

Senior Commercial Manager

£Competitive
We are excited to offer a fantastic opportunity for a Permanent Senior Commercial Manager Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
Recruiter: Amey

Highways Maintenance Operative

£Competitive
We have fantastic opportunities for a permanent Highways Maintenance Operatives. Northampton, Northamptonshire
Recruiter: Amey

Managing QS

£Competitive
In this role, you will support the Senior Commercial team in the end to end commercial process for the Area 12 contract. Yorkshire and the Humber
Recruiter: Amey

Highways Inspection Officer

£32,962 - £36,791 per annum
We have an exciting opportunity for a Highways Inspection Officer to join us! Windsor, Berkshire
Recruiter: The Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead

Highways Technical Assistant

£29,064 - £31,537
Are you looking for a varied role in a dynamic and innovative team environment that can make a real difference to North Yorkshire’s highways? Leeming Bar, Northallerton
Recruiter: North Yorkshire Council

Street Lighting Electrical Inspector

£34,434 - £38,220 per annum
Do you hold an ONC in electrical engineering or City & Guilds Electrician? Northallerton, North Yorkshire
Recruiter: North Yorkshire Council

Senior bridge Engineer - WMF2212e

£47,181 - £48,226
You will be the key responsible engineer for this area and will also provide technical advice and guidance to our team Cumbria / Various
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Civil Enforcement Officer - WMF2221e

£28,598 - £29,540
Are you seeking an active and challenging role, part of a friendly and welcoming team? Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Bridge Engineer - WMF2219e

£42,839 - £44,075
We are currently seeking to recruit an experienced and enthusiastic Bridge Engineer Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Senior Public Transport Officer

£42,839 - £46,142
We are looking for an experienced public transport professional to become our Senior Public Transport Officer. Northamptonshire
Recruiter: North Northamptonshire Council

Principal Transport Planner (Strategy) (Fixed-Term)

£48,226-£51,356
We are looking for an experienced professional to join as a Principal Transport Planner (Strategy) Northampton, Northamptonshire
Recruiter: North Northamptonshire Council

Mobile Street Scene Operative

£24,796 to £25,989 per annum
The Waste and Street Scene department requires enthusiastic and committed mobile street cleansing operative. Northallerton, North Yorkshire
Recruiter: North Yorkshire Council

Senior Technician - Highways Design (2 Posts)

Grade 10 £35,422 - 38,730 per annum
An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Professional Services Section Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council
SUBSCRIBE NOW

Latest Video

Subscribe to Highways today to ensure you keep your finger on the pulse of everything happening in the UK road network throughout the year.

SUBSCRIBE NOW