Peterborough A605 scheme £500k over budget due to ‘unforeseen factors’

Works began last year to create a designated lane to turn right on the A605 between Stanground and Whittlesey towards Pondersbridge.

Currently, traffic builds up on the roundabout and all the way back into Stanground due to vehicles waiting to turn off the A605, but the new lane will allow drivers to pass by.

However, the budget for the project, which is due to finish in the summer, has increased from £5 million to £5.5 million, with the extra funds expected to be met by a combination of Peterborough City Council and the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority.

Of the existing budget, £2.8 million has come from the Department for Transport after a successful bid from the combined authority, while the rest of the money has been put up by the council.

A council spokesperson said: “Improvements to the A605 (Toll Road) junction with the B1095 (Milk and Water Drove) is a complex civil engineering project and has needed significant work to protect the gas main as well as a temporary road to enable the road to remain open whilst these works took place.

“Whilst the council were initially seeking to complete the works within the existing budget there are a number of unforeseen factors that have led to the overall increase in costs.

“This includes works with (gas distribution network) Cadent, alternative design options and challenging site conditions. Additional cost has been incurred to complete these important aspects of the works, however, we continue to be on programme and expect to complete the work in early summer.”