SIR - The cost of the New Line / Harrogate Road junction improvement scheme has risen by £2.7m to £11.4m, which equates to a rise of a massive 30per cent (T&A, July 6).

According to Bradford Council this is because they "now have a clearer idea of the costs associated with land purchases and utility works" plus "inflation risk and contingency costs."

Why, one wonders, were such issues not better quantified when the original sum of £8.7m was announced? Does such a huge rise indicate a lack of competence in those involved in the initial estimate, complicated though it was?

Should the Council's Chief Executive not be looking closely at this very significant increase, rather than just accepting what has gone on? Don't ratepayers deserve such scrutiny?

Bob Watson, Springfield Road, Baildon