The new Liverpool ferry terminal will cost more than budgeted and be ready later than intended.

Infrastructure MinisterTim Baker told the House of Keys the delays and disruption caused by Covid has cost an estimated extra £5m so far.

The cost of remedial works to the site including dealing with unexploded wartime bombs will add a further 5% on top of the scheme’s value.

But Mr Baker said there would also be a substantial extra cost of protecting the quay wall from the bowthrusters of the ferries.He said there was an obligation to protect landlord Peel Port’s assets and his department was close to an agreement . But until this had happened it would be wrong to estimate how much the extra cost would be - although he said it would be ‘substantial’.Mr Baker said the contractor was working to a completion date of March 2022 - a year later than planned - but admitted even that date could change.The costs of the project have already spiralled and are currently budgeted for £38m. Mr Baker said if necessary his department will come back to Tynwald for a supplementary funding vote.For full story see this week’s Manx Independent.