New library and market scheme soars over budget

Rotherham Council has asked for a £6.5m pound bailout after costs for a new market and library development escalated.

The council has approached South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority for the funding after the redevelopment of the town's markets and library complex rose to nearly £41 million.

Originally expected to cost about £31.7m, the council has already received £3.4m from the mayor's office.

The council said the extra funding was need to cover a sharp rise in costs following further design and survey work.

The scheme will deliver a new library, upgraded indoor and outdoor markets and improvements to public spaces.

It is a central part of wider regeneration efforts to transform the town centre into a more vibrant, mixed-use space as well as aiming to reduce crime and increase employment.

Rotherham Council said it had identified extensive structural challenges, including reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (Raac) and asbestos, as well as the need for utility service upgrades.

The full business case now seeks to increase the authority's total contribution to £9.9m - around 24% of the total scheme cost.

The council has defended the increased cost, saying "it reflects essential safety and infrastructure upgrades and aligns with the town's long-term economic vision".

Without the additional investment, officials warned the viability of the markets, and footfall in the area, could be put at risk.

Construction is already under way, with a planned three-year timeline. The council said it had committed to covering any further overruns and had built contingency funding into the contract.

The remaining funding comes from a mix of central government grants and council investment.

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