National Highways insists that the estimated cost for the A303 Amesbury to Berwick Down upgrade past Stonehenge remains at £1.7bn, despite government contract figures putting the scheme way above £2bn.
According to the government’s £650bn construction pipeline, published last week, the main work contract for building the controversial Stonehenge Tunnel alone is estimated to be worth £2bn. That is £750M more than the £1.25bn estimated cost attached to National Highways contract notice.
The pipeline also includes a second contract opportunity valued at £80M for a delivery partner to oversee the scheme; £20M more than the £60M contract value listed by National Highways when it was put out to tender in June.
However, National Highways maintains that the contract values have not risen and that the total cost of the scheme remains at £1.7bn. Despite this, a National Highways spokesperson confirmed that the cost of the scheme will end up “towards £2bn” when non-recoverable tax is factored in.
The spokesperson added: “[The] total estimated cost for the A303 Amesbury to Berwick Down upgrade past Stonehenge remains at £1.7bn, although incorporating non-recoverable VAT will take this figure towards £2bn, as noted in the company’s Annual Report.
“This £2bn value represents all of the project’s estimated costs, of which the main works contract is a part.”
The spokesperson added: “The scheme has a high cost because it includes a 2-mile long tunnel. This will bring extensive benefits for the WHS and sustain its Outstanding Universal Value.
“As well as delivering transport and economic benefits, the scheme will deliver extensive heritage benefits for the Stonehenge WHS, environmental benefits in terms of biodiversity enhancements, and benefits to the quality of life in local communities that currently suffer from heavy flows of rat running traffic.
“These benefits are not readily quantifiable in terms of conventional value for money assessments.”
An NCE analysis of the construction pipeline has also uncovered multi-million pound value discrepancies with several High Speed 2 contracts relating to Birmingham’s Interchange station; track installation; and ground investigation work.
There also appears to be discrepancies in relation to Lower Thames Crossing contract values. The tunnels and approaches contract for the Kent to Essex crossing is listed at a whopping £4bn within the construction pipeline; £1.7bn above the contract value when National Highways announced its shortlist in April.
Meanwhile the Roads North contract to connect the tunnel with existing infrastructure in Essex is listed by the government at £2bn; £700M more National Highways contract valuation.
In response to NCE's analysis, Liberal Democrats transport spokesperson Sarah Olney said: “If there are inaccuracies and misleading statistics to be found in the Treasury’s National Infrastructure Pipeline, then they must be scrutinised and, if appropriate, clarified.
"At a time when people across the country are hurting economically, it is only right that their government demonstrates sound financial planning.”
In total, 12 road contracts worth £13.23bn are included in the pipeline. Transport campaigners have said that the government’s Build Back Better agenda is undermined by the prevalence of road schemes in the £650bn pipeline.
The inclusion of the main works contract for the A303 scheme has also led to criticism in light of the recent High Court ruling which effectively quashed consent for the scheme.
A spokesperson for conservation group the Stonehenge Alliance labelled the government as “arrogant” for including the £2bn contract within its construction pipeline.
The spokesperson added: “With the consent for the A303 Stonehenge having been quashed in the High Court, any consideration of letting contracts in connection with building a new road in Stonehenge World Heritage Site seems both premature and arrogant.
“On heritage, climate and economic grounds, the road widening and tunnel make no sense and should be abandoned. Otherwise the Government risks wasting more public money in pursuit of this folly.”
Transport secretary Grant Shapps is currently “re-determining” the A303 application after a High Court judge ruled that the initial planning approval was unlawful.
The Treasury and the IPA have been contacted for comment on the values in the National Infrastructure Pipeline.
Author: ROB HORGAN AND GREG PITCHER
Article Originally Appeared: https://www.newcivilengineer.com/latest/stonehenge-tunnel-cost-confusion-emerges-20-09-2021/
Comments