Weapon casings thought to be from a World War II munitions factory have been partly blamed for the spiralling costs of a new rail station car park.
After years of planning, and several delays, the Steeton and Silsden car park is due to be completed in November.
But when the facility is opened the total cost will have risen from the estimated £2.5 million when the plans were first suggested to just over £7 million.
The rising costs will mean that funding for improved parking facilities planned for Shipley Station is no longer available, and new sources of funding will be needed for that project to move forward.
At a meeting of West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Transport Committee on Tuesday members will be given an update on the many issues that have plagued the Steeton and Silsden development – including the unexpected legacy of the 1940s munitions factory.
The new two storey car park that's being built on the existing car park at Steeton and Silsden railway station will have more blue badge bays, a lift to the upper floor and CCTV.
Funded by West Yorkshire Combined Authority, it is hoped the car park will increase the number of people commuting by train, and increase capacity at a station car park that regularly fills up during rush hour.
The car park will create an extra 102 free car parking spaces at the station – taking the number of spaces there to 245.
But the plans have been beset by delays.
Originally the project was scheduled to be complete in October, 2020, before being pushed back to January, 2022 before being pushed back yet again.
And at the Transport Committee meeting members will be given more detail on the delays, and the resulting increase in costs.
A report to members says: “The scheme has experienced delays due the introduction by Network Rail of a post-contract requirement to restrict the erection of steelworks during specific hours to reduce the risk of working near the track.
“The estimated costs associated with the issue is £1,689,576.
“In addition, during construction some casings from a suspected explosives factory were discovered which resulted in delays and an estimated cost of £175,000.
“A further £261,392 was to support further management fees is requested due to the alteration and delays to the project.
“The total estimated costs are £7,010,641.”
During World War II Steeton was home to the Royal Ordanance Factory.
Built in 1940, the factory employed 4,000 people – many of them women. In 1942 the factory was visited by King George VI and Queen Elizabeth.
The factory produced 204 million munition components before the end of the war, and was protected by manned pillbox style defences – two of which still remain in the area.
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