Link road cost revealed

After asking Gazette readers for their thoughts on the North Devon Link Road improvement project, one of the most common questions raised was: how much has the project cost so far? 

In response, the Gazette contacted Devon County Council (DCC) and submitted a Freedom of Information request to get an answer. 

The council has now confirmed that, up to the end of October 2024, the project has cost £37,017,710.17.

The Gazette previously reported in June that the Government originally committed funding in 2015 to develop the project’s business case, which received final approval in November 2020. 

However, since then, economic challenges, compounded by the Covid-19 pandemic and supply chain disruptions, have impacted the project’s timeline and costs. 

These challenges led DCC to approve amendments to the main scheme in November 2022, pushing the expected completion date to summer 2024.

With summer 2024 past us, the project is still not completed. 

The contract for the 'Main Works' was tendered in early 2020, just before the pandemic's full impact on the construction sector became evident. In response to rising costs and logistical hurdles, DCC considered various options, including seeking additional funding and scaling down certain elements of the project. 

As a result, the council made several adjustments, such as removing a proposed overtaking section  between the Portmore and Landkey junctions, modifying the design of the Bishops Tawton roundabout, and deciding not to replace permanent fencing on site, aiming to streamline project completion amidst ongoing constraints.