Residents given £5.1m in payouts for bypass

THE bill for compensation payouts for residents who suffered a drop in house prices from the construction of a new bypass in Wakefield has passed £5m.

A total of 1,074 claims have been settled since the 5km Wakefield eastern relief road (WERR), also known as Neil Fox Way, opened in 2017.

When a new road is constructed, a compensation scheme is put in place to address the impact on land and property values. Claims can be made under the Land Compensation Act for a six-year period.

Settlements totalling £5.1m have made, with a further £200,000 of payments likely before the claim period ends next month. The amount is higher than expected when the scheme was launched.

A Wakefield Council report says an “insufficient budget was made available” to cover the cost of claims.

Cabinet members have been asked to allocate £3.4m to cover compensation payments when they meet next week. The council plans to make a request to West Yorkshire Combined Authority to recover the sum.

A consortium of developers involved in the road construction will contribute £0.3m towards the costs under a legal agreement.

The council report says: “The extent of claims that could arise as a result of the new road opening was uncertain at the time of the project and funding allocation.”

The overall costs involved in providing the bypass now stands at £35.9m.

Compensation claims have been made by residents living in areas including Eastmoor, Stanley, Stanley Ferry and Pinders Heath.

Under legislation, factors that can affect values include noise, vibration, smell, fumes, smoke and artificial lighting.

Councillors will consider the report at a meeting on March 19.