Council leaders say it is too soon to reveal the latest estimated price tag for the controversial Norwich Western Link road.

Norfolk County Council last published an estimate of the bill for the 3.9-mile road in November last year, when it revealed the scheme would cost a predicted £274m.

A visualisation of the Norwich Western LinkA visualisation of the Norwich Western Link (Image: Norfolk County Council)

That was an increase of more than £20m on the estimate given the previous summer.

At a recent meeting of the Conservative-controlled cabinet, leaders came under pressure to state the latest estimate for the scheme.

If the project went ahead it would link the Norwich Northern Distributor Road to the A47 near Honingham.

Steve Morphew, leader of the Labour group at Norfolk County CouncilSteve Morphew, leader of the Labour group at Norfolk County Council (Image: Archant)

Steve Morphew, leader of the Labour group, which opposes the road, asked what the latest estimate was.

He said: "The last review of the predicted Norwich Western Link costs was well over a year ago.

"Since then inflationary costs have increased, the timeline has extended and barriers have been identified that, if not insurmountable, will be enormously expensive to overcome."

As part of the planning process, people and organisations had the opportunity to make representations supporting or opposing the scheme. County Hall received more than 5,000 responses.

Graham Plant, Norfolk County Council cabinet member for highways, infrastructure and transportGraham Plant, Norfolk County Council cabinet member for highways, infrastructure and transport (Image: Norfolk County Council)

Graham Plant, the council's cabinet member for highways, infrastructure and transport, said: "As mentioned in recent updates, the project team are currently focused on considering the comments made through the consultation on the planning application, including those from Natural England.

"This work will inform the next steps for the project, and this in turn would inform any updates to the project’s timetable and costs.

"We will provide an update on next steps once this work is complete."

The council lodged plans for the road, which Conservative leaders say is vital to cut congestion, stop rat-running and boost the economy, with its own planning committee at the start of the summer.

But government advisor Natural England has objected to the proposal, saying it will threaten the population of protected barbastelle bats.

Its objection came after it signalled it was unlikely to award a licence to move or harm the bats, to the consternation of council leaders. 

The council's planning committee will not make a decision until next year. However it is likely, given the opposition, that the scheme will be 'called in' by the government for a final decision.