THE work to overhaul Oxford’s Frideswide Square is over budget before it has even properly started.

In less than two weeks, work will begin on replacing the major junction with a roundabout linked to two mini roundabouts.

But the authority’s cabinet yesterday had to add an extra £364,000 to the scheme’s budget, bringing the total to £5.8 million.

A report said it was because detailed designs agreed last year would cost £855,000 more than expected, meaning officials had to urgently find savings.

They decided to ditch certain elements of the scheme including a water feature and granite kerbs, bringing the extra cost down.

Council leader Ian Hudspeth said: “You always have aspirations for what you want to achieve but you also have to work within a budget.

“There were enhancements there to give the square a better feel, but what we also had to consider were other aspects like maintenance costs.”

Concerns had also been raised because a £670,000 contribution from Oxford City Council had not yet been received.

But yesterday city council leader Bob Price reaffirmed his authority’s support and said the delay was due to concerns about where the savings would be made.

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In a report to cabinet yesterday, county council chief finance officer Lorna Baxter wrote that discussions last year led to leaders agreeing on landscaping designs for the square, not included in initial cost estimates.

She said: “These were a water feature, lighting of the water feature and feature bespoke stone plinths for public art exhibition.

“However, these changes have contributed to the estimated cost of the scheme increasing to more than the approved budget.

“Changes were considered to keep the cost of the scheme in line with the budget and as a result the water fountain has not been included and the level of feature lighting and electrical items has been reduced.”

An annual £15,000 needed for the water feature’s upkeep would also be saved, she added.

It is also understood that granite kerbs in the revamped square will be replaced with a cheaper substitute, although it was yesterday claimed it would be just as durable.

City council leader Bob Price said he had met with county officials on Monday to discuss the changes and supported them.

He said: “It is now slightly less fully-fledged than it was, but we will still be putting our money in to complete what will be a high-quality finish.

“Our main reason for holding back on the funding was due to concerns that they might take out some of the things we were paying for as part of cost reductions.

“Now it is clear that is not the case. The removal of the water feature is regrettable, but it can be replaced with something that is easier to maintain.

“We are now happy with the scheme going forward.”

The changes to the budget mark the second time in two years that the project’s cost has escalated.

They increased from the original £3.7 million to £5.5 million in 2013.

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