Fife Council’s Cabinet Committee has approved the use of the extra funds from the council’s Future Construction Inflation budget after hearing the cost of undertaking the bridge works is now estimated at £10.06m – up from the £8.157m previously agreed by councillors.

The Leven Railway Bridge, or Bawbee Bridge as it is known locally, is suffering from significant deterioration and is subject to weight restrictions, so it is to be demolished and replaced while efforts to reinstate the rail link to Leven continue ahead of the line reopening in 2024.

Most of the cost increase reported to councillors today has been put down to significant rises in costs experienced by the UK construction industry as a whole as a result of global events and in the aftermath of COVID, while costs for materials and personnel have also gone up by around 20% and 10% respectively since April 2022.

As a result, utility companies carrying out crucial diversionary works before the bridge can come down have amended their projected costs accordingly.

Councillor Altany Craik, Fife Council spokesperson for finance, economy and strategic planning, said: “The Leven Rail Link and associated programmes will bring over £130m of investment to the Levenmouth area which is a key regeneration focus for the council.

“The approach taken by the council and its partners is the best solution to deliver all of the work required efficiently and minimise disruption for local residents.

“It’s good to note that the level of construction works required to replace the Leven Rail Bridge is broadly in line with original estimates, but we’re not immune to wider forces and it’s unfortunate to see the cost of utility diversions in particular rise above what was projected.

“However, the ultimate goals have not changed and this decision today provides all parties with some clarity and reassurance that work towards those goals can plough on regardless.”

With the Leven Rail Link programmed to be reinstated by March 2024, the council consequently needs to deliver the bridge replacement works prior to this to avoid the excessive construction costs associated with delivering the works over a live rail line.

Because of the interface between the structure and the rail project, it has previously been agreed that the bridge renewal can be most efficiently taken forward by Network Rail as part of the wider programme delivery.

However, Fife Council requires to sign an Implementation Agreement with Network Rail to enable their contractor to construct the bridge on behalf of the Council, and an assurance of funding is necessary to enable the agreement to be signed.

Despite the projected cost increase, councillors also heard today that collaborative working between construction parties within the project has helped to mitigate the increase in construction costs to around 10%, which is lower than seen elsewhere throughout the UK construction industry.