Labour Council overspend by £1.2 million on new road

Blackburn with Darwen Ciuncil have admitted that they have overspent by £1.2 million on the Freckleton Rd extension, part of the inner orbital route.

Despite past assurances that, if a large number of bodies needed to be excavated from the St Peter's Church graveyard that was part of the route the cost could be contained within the existing budget, it has now been admitted that the Council was wrong.

In reply to a question from Lib Dem leader, David Foster, a council officer said it was because of the large nmber of remains found. However the Council seems to be in disarray over the reasons. The Executive Member for Resources, Labour Councillor Andy Kay denised that this was the case and said it was because of ground issues.

Cllr Foster siad,"It is worrying when the Council do not seem to agree on why we have had a substantial overspend on this project and calls into question the competence of this council to manage large contracts. This follows the bus station fiasco which is now 18 months late."