£110m shortfall for outer ring road dualling plan

A project to dual more of York's outer ring road will be reviewed after the council admitted there was a £110m funding shortfall for the work.

The scheme aims to reduce journey times on the A1237 by making a stretch of the road into a dual carriageway and upgrading five roundabouts.

Work to expand the Clifton Moor roundabout was the authority's priority, a spokesperson said, to enable new housing developments to be built in the area.

Pete Kilbane, deputy leader of York Council, said the project was "subject to the same cost inflation as other major schemes," including rising construction and energy prices.

Councillors are expected to discuss options for the project at a meeting in July but previously warned the work may have to be scaled back.

The remaining budget for the project is £51m, against a £164m cost to complete the work, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Kilbane said: "Delivering Clifton Moor roundabout is a priority to enable the building of new homes on the north side of the city.

"The council will deliver a phasing plan that's consistent with planning permission for the entire dualling scheme."

The project to revamp the front of York railway station also faced a funding gap of £18m, the authority has said.

Work is under way at the site and money could be redirected from the outer ring road scheme to make up the shortfall, according to councillors.

The station scheme, which includes upgrades to bus and cycle infrastructure and public space improvements, had seen large increases in construction costs according to Katie Lomas, executive member for finance, performance and major projects.

"This scheme is hugely important, some very difficult decisions are required and politicians need to learn from this and not write open cheques in the future," she said.

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