“York taxpayers deserve answers.”
That’s the message behind a campaign calling on City of York Council to reveal in detail why a major project is now running at a £34 million overspend.
The cost of the York Station Gateway project has more than doubled, from an initial budget of £26 million to upwards of £60 million.
A council internal audit revealed serious weaknesses in how the project was set up and run, adding to the overspend.
Now York resident Shane Sayner has launched an online petition urging the council to
- publish a clear and detailed breakdown of the cost increases
- explain the key decisions that led to the overspend
- publish the actions being taken to adhere to the audit recommendations
- and strengthen financial oversight and governance for all future major infrastructure projects.
It has been signed by more than 500 people so far.
“It’s gone badly wrong,” Shane told YorkMix. “The significant overspend was not reported for around two years, and the audit identified significant weaknesses in project management that contributed to the overspend and delays.
“The petition is about basically being honest and upfront with the residents of York – publish in detail the report of where the money is spent, so people can look at.
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“It’d be a good idea to have an external audit then as well, because it’s the public’s money being spent, and it’s at a time when people are really struggling.
“Because we’re short money, they’ve basically taken the money away from the what should have been spent on the outer ring road and put it into the Station Gateway. What should have been spent on that?”
He added: “People have a right to ask questions and say, why why are we spending so much on this?
“Why has it cost over double so far to to do it when it was initially quoted £26 million? Why is it £60 million so far?
“It’s a crazy amount of money to spend, and of course taking it away from other areas as well.”
‘Understand residents’ frustration’
A City of York Council spokesperson said: “The Station Gateway scheme has been a hugely complex project to deliver.
“We welcome the public’s interest and do understand residents’ frustration over its costs.
“Those aspects of the scheme outside the council’s control, including unmapped utilities and inflationary pressures, have impacted both the cost and delivery of the scheme, while others have been detailed in audit and other council reports, including making improvements to the original design.
“Following last year’s changes to the scheme’s overall budget and an independent audit, as well as cross-party scrutiny by a council committee, we have strengthened governance arrangements for current and future major projects, with all of the audit’s recommendations now adopted, meaning cost increases are far less likely to happen.
“The highways elements of the Station Gateway scheme are now in their final stage and we continue to work with our partners to complete them.
“Once complete, the Station Gateway scheme will have a transformative effect on the area in front of the station, with dedicated cycle lanes, modern new bus stops and quality public spaces, all with the incredible backdrop of part of the city walls revealed for the first time in decades.”