Cost of new Cullompton road up £9 million

It could be scrapped if money not forthcoming

Mid Devon councillors have expressed concerns at the rising costs and funding for a new relief road in Cullompton.

Originally set to cost £15 million, the projected price of the project has risen to £24.4 million, with more than half of funding dependent on a successful bid to the government.

The planned relief road to the east of the town will improve short-term capacity at junction 28 of the M5 – though upgrades to the junction will need to be made in future – and will help to reduce traffic through the town centre. The road is expected to lower emissions and improve air quality in the town centre.

It will unlock the development of 2,000 homes as part of the council’s local plan, including an initial 500 east of Cullompton which will form part of the Culm Garden village, one of 14 such areas announced by the government in 2017. Planning permission was granted in January this year for both the road and a new location for Cullompton Cricket Club who will need to relocate.

Members of the district’s cabinet were told on Tuesday that the outcome of the levelling up bid for £13.5 million is not expected until the autumn at the earliest. If unsuccessful, the council will need to find the money from elsewhere or could be forced to scrap the project.

Currently the authority has £10 million from the government’s Housing Infrastructure Fund, with Devon County Council adding another million if the levelling up fund bid is successful.

Other issues with the project are also still to be resolved. Agreements to acquire the necessary land are required, while other affected sports facilities need to be moved and replacement sports and recreation space provided. The road must be built by March 2024 if the cash is awarded from levelling up fund.

Jenny Clifford, head of planning, economy and regeneration, said the estimated costs had risen because of an increase in construction costs, the likely cost of replacement sporting facilities, the potential amount needed for land acquisition and for risk and contingency.

Of the cost pressures, Mrs Clifford added: “Clearly at a future point in time, there will need to be options generated and a key decision made – which options to go with. Of course, one option could be at that point, ‘Do we continue with the project?’”

“Members, we are not at that point yet. We clearly have put in the levelling up fund bid and obviously that, if successful, would provide a significant injection of funding for the delivery of the project.”

Councillor Ron Dolly (Independent, West Exe) said: “This seems to be operating on the idea that everything will be all right if everything’s all right,” before adding: “The two letters and a numeral – HS2 – come to mind.

He said: “I just hope that everything works out okay financially, but I have my doubts.”

In response the leader, Councillor Bob Deed (Independent, Cadbury), said: “I’m sure you will agree that when we’re making any decision there generally is a note of optimism. In this case I think we don’t want to make a decision to just abandon the Cullompton project at this stage.

“We go forward with some optimism and to just make sure that we’ve got some checks and balances to show how we’re getting along the road. It doesn’t guarantee ultimate success, but at this stage we are optimistic.”

The cabinet agreed to continue working with Devon County Council to deliver the project and will make further key decisions when the result of the levelling up fund bid is known.