The ongoing delays and spiralling costs behind the A46 Stoneleigh Junction redevelopment are a "huge embarrassment" for the county council and its "financial incompetence".

That was the damning verdict of a locals councillors calling for answers on the major highways scheme which is now more than two years behind schedule - with no end in site.

Deputy leader of Warwickshire County Council (WCC) Cllr Peter Butlin let it slip this week that an extra £16 million has been ring fenced as the local authority negotiates a redesign for the project.

The so-called 'bridge to nowhere' over the dual carriageway has stood as a constant reminder of the delays to the project, having sat unconnected since the local authority hailed its installation in early 2023.

And following the cost revelations this week, Cllr Richard Dickson questioned whether the current WCC leadership can be trusted to fix the problems.

A view of the Stoneleigh Junction before the new bridge was installed (image via WCC)

"The 'extra £16 million' publicly referred to by Cllr Butlin in answer to a question by Lib Dem Cllr Sarah Boad in public session will shock local taxpayers," he told Nub News.

"This figure has never been quoted before. The county council wanted it kept confidential.

"Since I first went and raised this issue at a county council cabinet meeting more than four months ago I've been constantly asking for two things.

"Firstly for taxpayers to be given a timetable for when this £40 million 'bridge to nowhere' will be completed and secondly an indication of the extra costs involved.

"We still don't have an answer to the first question.

"However, what we do now know is that the project is now forecast to need an extra £16 million. And possibly more!

The development will eventually see a roundabout created at the junction (image via WCC)

"The negotiations seem to be going on and on with no end in sight.

"The continued mismanagement by the county council of this over-budget and long-delayed project has been compounded by this week's statement.

"This mess is a huge embarrassment.

"After this shocking and unexpected revelation, can taxpayers trust the current county council leadership to fix it?"

The local authority had already revealed the project is £4.7 million over budget with the new junction initially expected to be finished in summer 2022.

WCC continues to negotiate a deal to finish the project and has blamed a supply issue with materials for the new embankments for some of the delays.

The council has also agreed to publish more regular updates on the project. An update was published on the WCC website in November - the first for over a year.

Green councillors have also been quick to damn the Conservative leadership this week.

The new Dalehouse Lane and Stoneleigh Road alignments are now complete (image via WCC)

"The lack of any meaningful information or updates is frustrating, particularly as we the taxpayer are being left with the huge bill of well over £50 million.

"I am repeatedly asked if and when negotiations with contractors will be concluded and a solution reached.

"The bridge has to be completed, that much is clear, although openness and transparency about how, with what materials, and when, are sadly missing.

"Disappointingly, financial incompetence has been piled on top of bad decision making by the Conservatives.

"We've found out that their administration had opened itself up to apparently unlimited financial liability when costs started spiralling.

"They've now publicly revealed their negotiating hand and the cost to the council could escalate even more. 

"Greens said right from the start that this project didn't stand up to scrutiny and was not worth the cash.

"Instead of constantly focusing resources on road building with dubious benefits, we would prioritise spending on highway basics such as making sure children can walk and cycle to school safely."