The significantly delayed project to extend a Kenilworth primary school and provide more special educational needs facilities in the town are becoming like a "sub-project of the A46 bridge to nowhere", a Kenilworth councillor has said.

Cllr Richard Dickson's words came at last week's Warwickshire County Council cabinet meeting as he continues to push for answers over the St John's Primary School project which is yet to break ground, but was due to be finished in September 2024.

The Liberal Democrat councillor compared the £6 million project to the nearby Stoneleigh Island junction which has been hit by years of delays and spiralling costs.

Cllr Dickson demanded a "week by week timetable" is needed to keep the project on track if it is to be completed by its new deadline of September 2027.

"The continued delays on your watch [leader, Cllr George Finch] on this project make it look like a sub-project of the A46 bridge to nowhere," he said. 

"These delays which are now more than 18 months old are far more serious homework than a piece of A Level homework being a day or two late in submission.

"Let me remind cabinet members that SEND services in this county are in crisis, families living with SEND are beyond breaking point. 

"Someone needs to get the planners, the highways people, the consultants and the St John's project team in a room to come up with a plan that everyone owns that everyone sticks to."

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Cllr Dickson also called for the relevant portfolio holders and heads of service to meet with St John's headteacher, the governors and himself to give an update and explanation.

He has also called for an update on the costs for the project which are anticipated to have increased.

The project will eventually allow 200 extra spaces at St John's which would become two-form entry. 

It would also include space for up to 14 places for children with education, health and care plans (EHCPs) who can be catered for at a mainstream school.

Nub News understands discussions continue between the planning and project teams to discuss what works can be allowed under permitted development and what needs full planning permission.

Previous plans showed three major extensions are planned to allow for the expansion.