Two gas mains are due to be moved at a cost of £24.5m as a new road is built in Norfolk. The two-mile (3.5km) West Winch Access Road aims to cut congestion by creating a new link between the A47 and the A10 south of King’s Lynn before 4,000 homes are built, reports the BBC.
However, moving gas pipes underground is said to have added millions to the cost of the £109m project, threatening the viability of the scheme.
Graham Plant, Norfolk County Council’s cabinet member for highways, said:
“It was vital to get this issue resolved as quickly as possible to avoid potentially lengthy and costly delays.”
Plans show the access road would have five roundabouts providing links to the A47 in the north, the A10 in the south and three others to accommodate connections to future housing developments.
However, work on the project has been stalled due to the pipes.
Previously, National Gas said complex engineering and technical challenges had emerged leading to an increase in estimated costs.
(Picture: Norfolk County Council)
