The cost of a long-delayed bypass in Somerset is expected to top \u00a3105m \u2013 \u00a340m above the original estimate \u2013 after fresh risks to the scheme were identified.<\/p>\n
North Somerset Council is set to approve an extra \u00a314.5m for the Banwell bypass at a meeting next week, which is also expected to see Galliford Try<\/a> given the go-ahead to begin building the scheme.<\/p>\n The extra cash \u2013 which includes \u00a39.7m from Homes England\u2019s housing infrastructure fund and \u00a34.8m from North Somerset Council \u2013 will allow the 3.3km bypass to progress to the main construction phase.<\/p>\n The risks emerged during detailed design work carried out by Galliford Try, which is currently preparing the site as part of the first stage of the project.<\/p>\n \u201cThis [detailed design work] has enabled greater cost certainty for construction but also resulted in the realisation of risks,\u201d the council said.<\/p>\n The costs had been \u201cchallenged, reviewed and benchmarked against the market\u201d by cost consultancy AtkinsR\u00e9alis to maximise value for money, it added.<\/p>\n Galliford Try took over the job<\/a>\u00a0last September, six months after original contractor Alun Griffiths walked out unexpectedly<\/a> while enabling works were already underway.<\/p>\n