AS exclusively reported on Thurrock Nub News last month, Thurrock Council has dug itself into a massive financial hole over the A13 widening project – which is running well behind schedule and well over budget.

After weeks of prevarication and shying away from the truth, the council has been forced to admit it is seeking ways to find extra cash from outside the authority to pump into the project – despite telling Thurrock Nub News in December last year it would continue to 'invest further in the A13 works while meeting its obligations to the scheme."

On 11 December we broke the story that scheme was millions of pounds over budget, with costs ballooning out of control.

Having played down the situation at the time, the council has now been forced to acknowledge serious issues have arisen – though even in a report to next week's Planning, Transport, Regeneration Overview and Scrutiny Committee again appears to dismiss concern, telling members through its interim management accountant that: "There are no financial implications arising specifically from this update report".

That appears extremely dismissive of the figure quoted by our report which reported a whistleblower saying the scheme is already £30 million above budget.

And also a statement that comes in the same report in which Anna Eastgate, Assistant Director of the council's transport infrastructure projects, reports to the committee that a number of errors and miscalculations have taken place.

Her update on work taking place between Stanford-le-Hope and the Orsett Cock roundabout details how the scheme has been plagued with problems ranging from public safety issues linked to bridge designs to inaccurate land studies that needed to be repeated.

She adds that designs for the project were also not complete when the road works begun leaving contractors to do the work while the plans were still being drawn up.

Despite the assertion by her financial colleague to the contrary, the assistant director says the project is "no longer within the budget envelope" and the council needs to find "alternative funding through whatever route is available".

This could include appealing for additional grant funding from the government, trying to get extra funding from the private sector or taking more money from the council's budget.

That appears in contrast to a statement issued to Thurrock Nub News which said: "As would be expected with any major infrastructure programme such as the improvements to the A13, the delivery schedule is constantly reviewed, particularly when complex engineering works are required such as replacement bridge structures and significant diversions of utility apparatus is involved. The project is reaching a number of key milestones which will provide further clarity on the overall programme and any potential cost implications.

"With regards funding, the Council has secured significant funding from the South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP). The council shall continue to invest further in the A13 works while meeting its obligations to the scheme in this respect.

"This is part of £20billion of planned investment in jobs, homes and infrastructure in Thurrock, including private sector led development at Thames Enterprise Park, Lakeside Basin and the Port of Tilbury."

You can read the full report to committee via our red button link below.