Groups ask for investigation into 'potential misallocation' of £4.2 million transport money in Shropshire

The project was expected to be completed by November 2020, but later rolled into the North West Relief Road (NWRR) scheme, with the Department for Transport partly funding it.

However, it has been hit with various delays and opposition, with the Full Business Case now due to be considered by full council in the new year.

“This means that benefits that were to accrue from the £4.2m funding from the Marches LEP remain undelivered almost a decade since the funds were allocated and there is currently no credible timeline for when the OLR might be delivered,” said Mike Streetly, from Better Shrewsbury Transport (BeST).

Recently, an external audit raised serious concerns about Shropshire’s handling of the NWRR, revealing the road could now cost at least £178m, while new assessment figures show that the project's carbon footprint is likely to have at least doubled from the original forecast.

“Given that the NWRR’s future is now in significant doubt, BeST would like to raise serious concerns about the potential mishandling of the £4.2m pledged in Marches LEP funding for the project,” added Mr Streetly.

“This money has been in limbo for almost a decade and concerns have been raised about it multiple times by local residents.

“With the dissolution of the Marches LEP in March 2024, there appears to be no active oversight in place and no public accountability for the continued delays, despite the assurances on this that were made prior to the dissolution of the LEP.

“Following the LEP’s dissolution, responsibility for this issue and the £4.2m of funds was given to the Marches Enterprise Partnership Joint Committee as part of ongoing monitoring of live projects funded under the Growth Deal Programme. Within this structure, Shropshire Council is the accountable body for grant contracts issued by the Marches LEP.

“However, the Marches Joint Committee has only had one 22-minute meeting on March 7, 2024, there has been no proper response from the committee to our public queries, and all subsequent committee meetings have been cancelled.

“Given the rapid unravelling of the NWRR scheme, external auditor concerns about oversight, and Shropshire Council’s near bankrupt status, we are concerned that there is a risk that these vital public funds will continue to remain in limbo unless there is proper oversight.”

Councillor Lezley Picton, leader of Shropshire Council, said: “The decision to continue to support the OLR was made at a meeting of the Marches LEP’s board late last year after they were satisfied with a refreshed business plan for the project.

“Since then, the Marches LEP has been dissolved and a new Marches Enterprise Partnership Joint Committee has been created. However, their position of providing funding for this important project has not changed.

“The Marches Enterprise Partnership Joint Committee continue to be fully briefed on the OLR project and a paper will be submitted for review and approval at their next planned board meeting.

“This will include an update on the latest developments in the procurement of the main contractor, expected delivery programme, and progress with the current planning application.

“The OLR remains a key priority scheme for both Shropshire Council and the Marches Enterprise Partnership Joint Committee, which will deliver key infrastructure in support of committed housing and employment targets for Shrewsbury.

“It is also worth noting that although they are being considered together as part of the planning process, the proposed Oxon Link Road, which will link Churncote Island to Holyhead Road and the proposed North West Relief Road, which will link Holyhead Road to Ellesmere Road, are in effect two schemes.

“Subsequently, the Oxon Link Road is not affected by the detailed environmental investigations and assessments that the North West Relief Road is and we could potentially progress this as a standalone scheme.”