Plans to build a pedestrian and cycle bridge over the River Avon in the English town of Stratford have been withdrawn. Warwickshire County Council cites a cost increase from US$4 million to US$6.6 million as the reason for dropping the project.
The decision was reached jointly by the council, Stratford District Council and Advantage West Midlands following a budget review.
The original US$4 million estimate had been established in 2005 for the bridge, whose design was submitted by Ian Ritchie Architects.
"That figure has now increased to £3.3 million (US$6.6 million) due to a combination of factors including the increased world price of steel, the need for additional flood mitigation measures and general construction sector super-inflation over the past three years," said Councillor Chris Saint. "Neither the county or district councils are in a position to fund the shortfall so we have reluctantly decided to remove the bridge from the World Class Stratford programme."
Warwickshire County Council has spent a total of US$625,000 in taking the scheme from initial concept design to a point at which it was ready for planning consideration.
