The Government have been accused of costing the taxpayer even more money by delaying again its decision to back a new railway line between Bristol and Portishead.
Council chiefs in North Somerset said the longer the Government takes to give the final go-ahead for the scheme, the more it will end up costing.
It’s the second time the final go-ahead decision has been delayed, and this time the extension will add almost a year on to the project.
Read more: Ashton Gate frustration at station and metrobus inaction
On Monday, transport minister Robert Courts MP said the deadline for the Government making the decision was being extended for another seven months - to add to the four months delay first announced last year, means the project might not get the go-ahead now until next February, 2023 - a full 19 months after the regional transport authority MetroWest first applied to the Government to be able to do the £100m project.
The scheme has been planned for almost 30 years and has never yet got off the ground. It would see the re-laying of the track on the old rail line into Portishead which would then join with the existing branch line between Parson Street in Bristol and Portbury docks to take passengers from Portishead into Temple Meads.
The new passenger branch would be key to MetroWest’s plans to improve the suburban railway network around Bristol in the 2020s, and could also see the reopening of the station at Ashton Gate.
“The deadline for the decision is now to be extended to 19 February 2023 (an extension of seven months) to allow North Somerset District Council further time to demonstrate that funding for the entire scheme has been secured,” said Mr Courts. “The decision to set the new deadline is without prejudice to the decision on whether to grant or refuse development consent for the above application,” he added.
But North Somerset Council leaders were left dismayed by this delay. They said the project had already been tested through a public inquiry, which took six months and ended last April by showing the costs stacked up against the wider benefits.
““We are incredibly disappointed to hear that there will be a further delay in agreeing the DCO, which will have continued cost implications for the scheme,” said Don Davies, the leader of North Somerset Council.
“Despite these delays, the Portishead line remains a key scheme putting jobs and infrastructure into the heart of our economic growth strategy, creating sustainable travel links around the area.
“The financial challenges for the project as a result of increased costs from the pandemic and construction and energy inflation are very significant, in addition to further costs of delay posed by today’s announcement. The DfT are key funding partners, alongside the West of England Combined Authority and North Somerset Council.
“By not committing any further funding, they are undermining our ability to deliver the project. We will continue to lobby Government for additional funding to address the shortfall,” he added.
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