Road scheme to take a larger slice of funding pie

15/11/2022 | CHRIS AMES

Leicestershire County Council is set to approve a large local major (LLM) scheme whose cost has effectively doubled to £127.5m since 2018.

The North and East Melton Mowbray Distributor Road is part of a proposed new road said to be needed to support the planned growth of the town.

The scheme has been designed to improve access to potential housing and employment, reduce congestion within Melton Mowbray and improve access to the town centre.

When the scheme was awarded £49.5 LLM funding in 2018, its cost was estimated at £63.5m.

A report submitted to the council’s Scrutiny Commission last week by its director of environment and transport, Ann Carruthers, noted that the revised forecast scheme cost has increased to £116.1m, meaning that allowing for a +/- 10% change in costs it could outturn at £127.7m.

The Scrutiny Commission agreed to back the continued delivery of the scheme, ahead of a decision from the council’s Cabinet on 16 December as to whether to submit a full business case to the Department for Transport to release the LLM funding.

In addition to the £49.5 LLM cash, a further of £4m will come from the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership, as well as an anticipated £14m of developer contributions, in part forward-funded by the council, which also expects to receive over £9m for the sale of land whose development is dependent upon the road.

The report noted that any cost on top of this – currently estimated at £51m – would need to be provided by the council. It added that any additional costs must be offset by savings elsewhere in the Council’s budget.

The report also noted that when the scheme was initially approved the only outlay to the council was the cashflow costs associated with the need to forward fund the road in advance of developer contributions being received.

Ms Carruthers is the chair of the Transport and Connectivity Board of council directors body ADEPT. Her report notes that the current difficult financial situation due to rising inflation, officers are lobbying the Government via ADEPT to highlight the situation, ‘which applies across the country’, and seek support for additional funding.

Last year the county council and Melton Borough Council reached agreement over the funding of the £35m southern leg of the distributor road, also linked to new homes, after a wrangle over Housing Infrastructure Fund cash, developer contributions and education costs.

Highways InProfile

latest magazine issue
Highways jobs

Director of Transport

£112,924
East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) is on a bold journey. East Midlands Region
Recruiter: East Midlands Combined County Authority

Ferry Host - WMF3049i

£25,584 - £25,992
Ferry Host - WMF3049i Windermere, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Director of Streetscene

£94,972 - £108,767
We continue to have big ambitions for our borough Fareham, Hampshire
Recruiter: Fareham Borough Council

Principal Engineer - Urban Traffic Control (UTC)

£44,711 - £49,764
Liverpool is home to vibrant, energetic and engaged communities. Liverpool, Merseyside
Recruiter: Liverpool City Council

Roadworker/Driver

Grade 6 £25,183 - £25,638 per annum (Pay Award Pending)
We’re looking for Roadworker/trainee LGV drivers to be part of our team Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Project Chargehand (2 Posts)

Grade 9 £31,344 - £33,253 per annum (Pay Award Pending)
We’re looking for experienced Project Chargehands to be part of the Highways Construction Services team Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Lawyer 2- Planning and Highways

£49,764 - £54,181
We are looking for a fresh thinking and enthusiastic Planning and Highways Lawyer Hereford, Herefordshire
Recruiter: Herefordshire Council

Development Engineer

£35,967 - £41,268 per annum
Are you ready to play a key role in shaping and safeguarding the future of our highways and public spaces? Bexley (City/Town), London (Greater)
Recruiter: London Borough of Bexley

Professional Services Partnering Manager

Grade 13 £47,653 - £51,296 per annum (pay award pending)
We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Professional Services Partnering Manager to lead the strategic management Darley Dale, Matlock
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Technical Supervision Manager

Grade 13 £47,653 - £51,296 per annum (pay award pending)
We are looking for an experienced and driven Technical Supervision Manager to lead our technical supervision teams within the Highways Service. Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Street Lighting Electrician (CDC)

Grade 8, £32,662 - £36,239 (pay award pending)
Highways Operations is a growing service area within the Place directorate. Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recruiter: City Of Doncaster Council

Highways Assistant Engineer WMF2133e

£39,513 to £40,476
We have an exciting opportunity for the right person to work within the challenging and ever-changing landscape. Penrith, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Highways Inspector/NRSWA

£36,345 - £40,344
We are looking for an organised and self-motivated individual to join our Streetworks Team based in Hackney Central. Hackney, London (Greater)
Recruiter: London Borough of Hackney Council

Structures Commissioner

Grade 14 £53,166 - £59,080 per annum (Pay Award Pending)
We are seeking an experienced and strategic leader to join our team as the Structures Commissioner. Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Team Leader Network Co-ordination

£51,429 - £58,140
As Team Leader for Network Coordination, you’ll manage a team that oversees all works and events on our public highways. Kensington and Chelsea, London (Greater)
Recruiter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council

PRINCIPAL TRANSPORT PLANNING OFFICER

£43693 - £46731
We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced professional to join our team in Hull as a Principal Transport Planning Officer. Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire
Recruiter: Hull City Council

HIGHWAYS AND TRAFFIC ENGINEER - 4 POSTS

£43693 - £46731
We have several exciting opportunities for suitably qualified Highways Civil Engineers and Traffic Engineers Wilson Centre, 1st floor, Hull HU1 2AG
Recruiter: Hull City Council

Principal Transport Planner

£45,718 to £49,764
Do you have considerable experience in the transport strategy and policy, and are you looking for your next career development opportunity? Sheffield, South Yorkshire
Recruiter: Sheffield City Council

Project Lead - Bridges and Structures WMF3037e

£45,718 to £46,731
We are currently seeking to recruit a Project Lead to join our Bridges and Structures team Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness 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