THE contractor building an overdue mile-long relief road in Taunton will probably be called back to carry out repairs before if has even opened to traffic, it was suggested this week.

The contractor says it expects to finish the £22 million Northern Inner Relief Road from Staplegrove Road to Priory Avenue by mid February - almost two years late and after missing a number of target completion dates.

The project includes a new bridge over the River Tone and canal near Priory Fields; a replacement for the disused rail bridge over Station Road; a replacement for Forty Steps footbridge at Chip Lane; and a roundabout at the Chip Lane/Staplegrove Road junction.

Somerset County Council's policy and place scrutiny committee received a progress update on Tuesday.

Pressed on a possible opening date, the authority's director for the environment Alyn Jones said traffic would only be permitted to use it once any defects had been checked and corrected.

Cllr Mike Rigby said: "Given the history of the project, it wouldn't surprise me if we find a snag or two."

Mr Jones said the county is already aware of "some defects", but added it is possible more could be found once the road is handed over by the contractor.

"Until Carillion tell us that the project is finished, I can't give a clear date (for the opening)," said Mr Jones.

He added: "We're checking the quality of the work. It's normal in any engineering scheme to have defects associated with it."

Mr Jones said the county needs to ensure Carillion "take care to build to the quality that's required of them", adding that the county is "very clear whose liability" any snags are.

The Government is paying £15.2 million towards the NIDR, with almost £5 million from developer contributions and £2.5 million from the county.

But Carillion is believed to have demanded several million pounds on top of the initial bill and is involved in a legal dispute with County Hall, where bosses are confident they have "a very good case" for not meeting the company's demands.

Council leader Cllr John Osman last week told the County Gazette the authority and resident are "upset" and that the situation is "very disappointing and very frustrating".