Shropshire tenders relief road build at £110m

15/03/2024 | CHRIS AMES

Shropshire Council has admitted it has had no official communication from the Government to support its expectation that a controversial new road will be ‘fully funded’, as it tendered its construction with a price estimate of £110m.

The highway authority was also unable to say when it will get further clarification on the issue, despite claiming that further guidance was ‘imminent’.

The council has so far been offered £54m of Large Local Majors funding for the Shrewsbury North West Relief Road (NWRR), based on a cost at outline business case (OBC) stage of £80m.

It has admitted that the costs have risen since but has refused to publish a new estimate, although campaigners claim it could now cost £200m.

The authority has now published a contract notice for a main contractor to construct the project, which will provide a new, single carriageway road linking the northern and western parts of Shrewsbury.

It will also include a new bridge over the River Severn and its flood plain, a new bridge over the Shrewsbury-Chester railway line and will connect the A5 at Welshpool Road roundabout in the west to the Ellesmere Road roundabout in the north.

The notice values the construction work – rather than the entire project – at £110m.

In October, transport secretary Mark Harper said in a TV interview that the Government would fully fund the road, although his department subsequently made clear that under its Network North plan to redirect cash from HS2, the road is due to receive 100% of the OBC cost.

The council said last month that its officers are in regular contact with the DfT and ‘have been given no reason to believe that Government support for the Shrewsbury NWRR will be anything other than that announced by the Secretary of State’.

It added: ‘Further guidance on this is expected imminently.’ Highways asked the authority if it would disclose the relevant communications from the DfT.

Its cabinet member for highways, Dan Morris, said: ‘Although we have not received any official communication regarding promise of funding, we are in regular contact with the DfT, again adding again that the council had ‘been given no reason to believe that Government support for the NWRR will be anything other than that announced by the Secretary of State on TV, fully funded’.

Asked when the imminent guidance would be published, a spokesperson clarified that this was to come from the DfT and that the council was unable to say when it would be received.

The council said a revised figure will be shared as part of the full business case, which will be considered by the council before being submitted to the Department for Transport (DfT) in December 2024.

In a written parliamentary answer published in January, the road was the only one of 10 Midlands roads eligible for DfT funding where a cost was not stated. This was stated to be subject to Shropshire Council’s procurement exercise.

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