The Crown's failure to purchase a Taranaki couple's farm for a major roading project has seen its cost skyrocket. The mayor of New Plymouth said the Crown's inability to buy the 11 hectares of land for the Mt Messenger bypass has cost taxpayers 83 million dollars in the past two years alone. Neil Holdom said it shows the Public Works Act needs a drastic overhaul. Taranaki Whanganui reporter Robin Martin has more.