Cost of planned footbridge rises to £16m

The estimated cost of a footbridge over the River Avon has more than trebled in the three years since it was first approved.

Worcestershire County Council's cabinet will be told on Thursday that the Hampton pedestrian and cycling bridge in Evesham will now cost £16m.

When originally approved in 2021, the cost was estimated at £4.26m with about £1m extra for links to other local routes - the latest estimate will require an increase to the budget of £12.8m approved so far.

"There has been significant inflation in the construction sector over the past three years due to a number of factors including Covid-19 and the war in Ukraine," the report said.

"This has resulted in an increase in the cost of fuel, labour and materials, notably steel."

It added that design changes to make the bridge accessible in flood conditions had increased costs.

The report suggests that the scheme would need an additional £4.6m, including contingencies, from integrated block funding - money given by the government for transport capital improvement schemes.

Approval for the bridge scheme was given in March 2021.

It would separate cyclists and pedestrians from traffic on Pershore Road and Abbey Road, and provide an "essential active travel link" between Evesham town centre and new houses in Hampton.

The council aims to make cycling and walking a more attractive choice for local journeys.

At the meeting on Thursday, the authority's cabinet will be recommended to push ahead with the scheme, which received planning permission in March.

Additionally, it is recommended that compulsory purchase orders are authorised for the necessary land, in case sales cannot be negotiated with landowners.

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