PLANS for an underpass to replace a pedestrian rail and road crossing in Grays that was flagged up as key to the town's regeneration have hit the buffers after estimated costs spiralled to an eye-watering £46 million.

The rail underpass scheme on the High Street close to Grays rail station was a showcase project first championed by the Conservative administration in 2017 but has been hit with steadily increasing costs since its original budget of £27.4million.

A planning application is now set to be withdrawn because of the financial risk to the effectively bankrupt council.

Increased costs are said to have emerged during detailed design work for the underpass. The latest increases are said to be down to a revised construction programme with additional costs around access to the rail line and a 15.4 per cent increase in costs because of inflation.

The project has courted controversy and debate since it was first suggested.

In July 2021 Nub News was reporting on concerns about the scheme, with councillors suggesting it was unachievable. And there were deep concerns about a lack of information.

The scheme was very much a key plank of plans to regenerate Grays championed by Cllr Mark Coxshall among others. As portfolio holder for regeneration he was very much a flag waver for the project, saying: "Grays has suffered from low investment, rising vacancies, and a poor environment for too long.

"These works are only one part of much wider aspirational plans to transform the entire town including an energy-efficient council building with the Register Office and ceremonial gardens for weddings at its heart; and up to £25 million investment through the government's Town Fund to transform Grays into a leisure destination."

Cllr Mark Coxshall and his plan.

Cllr Coxshall steered plans for the underpass through the council, saying (in 2020): "This is an important step for the whole regeneration of Grays. 

"The approved concept has been measured against the best international examples, came out top in our public consultation and will look completely different to what we have previously seen in the borough"

The bullish mood of the Conservative administration was also reflected by then leader Cllr Rob Gledhill, who welcomed more potential investment into the High Street, saying it would help build 'a flourishing night-time economy.'

However, the optimism has all proven to be misplaced.

The scheme has already drained a significant amount from council coffers, with some estimates reaching half a million ppounds, and now the authority is very much on the retreat, trying to ensure no more losses.

Councillors will discuss the project at an extraordinary meeting of the planning, transport and regeneration overview and scrutiny committee tonight (Thursday, 28 September)

Cllr Lee Watson is a longstanding member of the committee and has followed 'progress' of the project. She said: "This is a direct consequence of a bankrupt Tory council that is unable to deliver any essential major project."

The council is undergoing a review of its spending projects by Government appointed commissioners after issuing a s114 notice because it could not balance its budget in the face of a £1.3 billion debt from bad investments.

The underpass scheme blueprint.

A report to councillors tonight, following a review of the project, says: "The project review process has highlighted that in addition to the spiralling forecasted costs there have been significant issues with the management of the programme, with reference to design process management, planning and utility diversion planning.

"The findings of the review process are that the underpass scheme in its current form is not in a technical state to move forward, and it does not continue to represent value for money. In addition, it is considered that the council is holding too much of the financial risk on this project given current funding imbalance and benefits arising."

It adds: "The recommendation of the review process is that the underpass design should not be pursued and that the current planning application for the underpass be withdrawn."

The review recommends a new pedestrian crossing over the railway, potentially as part of a new station and mixed use residential development.

The report acknowledges that the existing crossing poses a "clear safety risk" with a "significant increase in the number of near misses".

Cllr Andrew Jefferies

Tonight's meeting comes the day after Thurrock Nub News reported on an admission by current council leader Cllr Andrew Jefferies that the authority has significantly failed in its management of major infrastructure projects and he warned other councils not to make the same mistakes Thurrock has,.