Long running-wrangling over the budget for the King’s Dyke crossing project came to a head this week.

The council said a final design and price from Kier was forwarded on Wednesdsay night “four months past the agreed date.”

The BBC reported that Kier’s estimate for its role in constructing the project had risen from £15.8m to £26.2m.

Kier originally won the project in September 2017.

Cllr Steve Count, Leader of Cambridgeshire County Council said: “I am clear we should not now proceed with Kier as we cannot agree this final revised cost which has considerably increased.

“It is a shame that we have been forced to wait so long to receive a price that is so clearly out of line with earlier and even revised expectations.

“My view is the quickest way now to get this much needed crossing and bridge built would be to re-procure the work on the same route.

“I will now ask the Economy and Environment Committee to consider the options available and agree the best way to proceed, considering both time and spend.

“The King’s Dyke crossing project is vital for the people in Fenland and will remove the delays at the A605 level crossing.”

A Kier spokesperson said: “We are naturally disappointed with Cambridgeshire County Council’s decision.

“Following the completion of the design phase, our pricing took the challenging ground conditions into careful consideration.

“We continue to work closely with Cambridgeshire County Council as they consider all options available to them to ensure the future of this much-needed project.”