Plans to widen Old Mill Lane, a key approach into Barnsley town centre, have been extended and will require an additional £2.1m to finish after contractors discovered unexpected complications with utility infrastructure.
Costs and timetable revised
The scheme, which began in early 2024 and is being delivered by Balfour Beatty on behalf of the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, was originally due to finish in summer 2026 within a £15m budget. Work will now continue into winter 2026/27 or early 2027 and the extra funds have been set aside to address the problems identified on site.
| Item | Figure / date |
|---|---|
| Original budget | £15m |
| Additional allocation | £2.1m |
| Original completion | Summer 2026 |
| Revised completion | Winter 2026/27 / early 2027 |
Why the scheme has overrun
A spokesperson for the Mayoral Combined Authority said the work revealed "unexpected and complex issues surrounding utility works" which have lengthened the project and increased costs. The precise nature of the utility problems was not detailed in the statement.
"We’re continuing to deal with unexpected and complex issues surrounding utility works which have meant a longer project and higher costs than planned."
Councillor Nicola Sumner, commenting on the local impact and necessity of the scheme, said the council acknowledged that roads into Barnsley are busier than they used to be and supported efforts to tackle the bottleneck. She also noted that the bridge works involved had proved more challenging than expected.
What this means for drivers and the council
Motorists and bus users should expect works to continue through the autumn and into winter, with the widened carriageway not available until the revised completion date. The authority overseeing the project said it is working with partners to resolve the utility issues and complete the scheme.
- Project began: early 2024
- Original lanes: three; planned lanes after work: five
- Contractor: Balfour Beatty (on behalf of the Mayoral Combined Authority)
The additional charge to the scheme will require continued oversight by the regional authority and will be of interest to local councillors and residents who use Old Mill Lane daily. The construction has been promoted as a long-term measure to ease congestion on one of Barnsley’s main routes, but the overruns underline the challenges of undertaking major roadworks where buried utilities are involved.
InfoRadar will continue to seek further details on the nature of the utility complications and any knock-on financial implications for local authority budgets.
