Watch more of our videos on Shots!
and live on Freeview channel 276

Highways chiefs have said an unpopular plan to reduce congestion on the busy A62 Leeds Road has already cost more than a million pounds – even before a shovel has gone into the ground.

And they have admitted that development and consultation costs could eventually reach around £7m – approximately 10 per cent of the £69.3m budgeted for the overall scheme.

The cost has already exceeded what was allocated for development by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, which is paying for the controversial programme. The remainder is expected to be underwritten by Kirklees Council.

However senior figures on the council were bullish about the overall benefits of the project – known as the A62 to Cooper Bridge Corridor Improvement Scheme – even as they conceded that some localised areas might be significantly impacted.

How the Cooper Bridge junction could look

Cooper Bridge scheme has already cost £1m before roadworks have even begun