Costs for the already over-budget and much-delayed works around the A46 at Stoneleigh are expected to continue to rise.

Papers from Warwickshire County Council (WCC) have already revealed the project is estimated to cost at least £4,673,000 more than the £38 million originally expected, but it has now been revealed this is likely to rise as a completion date for the project remains unclear.

The local authority - which is currently cutting costs to plug a £27 million funding gap - has remained tight-lipped in the infrastructure scheme, which was due to be completed in August 2022.

The new bridge deck - referred to as the "bridge to nowhere" by councillors - was installed in January 2023, but remains unconnected with the council repeatedly blaming supply issues on the delays.

Cllr Richard Dickson pressed for answers over the project at September's cabinet meeting.

In a delayed response after the meeting, portfolio holder for finance and property Cllr Peter Butlin said the £4,673,000 was an estimate covering a range of additional design and construction works "yet to be completed", and ongoing traffic management on the A46.

However, the deputy leader's response also revealed the estimate was for the quarter leading to the end of June and more spending is likely to be needed.

"Based on ongoing contractual disputes and their expected resolution, we do expect the forecast costs to increase," he said.

The project is also not expected to be completed this year, and an update will be provided at some point.

"All major highway projects delivered by the council, including this one, are subject to a lessons learned review," Cllr Butlin continued.

"This process will bring together all parties involved in the design and delivery and identify and record opportunities for improvement.

"The nature of the lessons learned will impact the way they are implemented going forward."

Speaking at the September cabinet meeting, Cllr Dickson said the unconnected bridge is an "icon of project mismanagement". 

"It is, some would say, a symbol of the disconnectedness in Warwickshire; economic, social, political, even spiritual disconnectedness in our county," he said.

"It is hard for people to believe that everything is okay in Warwickshire, to trust in its leadership, when they see with their own eyes every day at this bridge that it is not."

Cllr Dickson told Nub News the project undermining trust in the capability of local government "generally still stands".