Bold vision to transform cycling in large part of Peterborough unveiled

Plans to submit a new cycle and footpath between the village of Sutton and NVR’s Wansford station have been submitted to Peterborough City Council.

In addition to another proposed scheme to create a new route for cyclists, walkers and horse riders as part of the A47 dualling between Sutton and Wansford, it is hoped that this will open up huge opportunities for cyclists and walkers, both in Peterborough and into the villages of Northamptonshire.

However, funding the projects remains a concern even if the planning application is approved.

The proposals have been lauded by both the Nene Park Trust and NVR which hope to see a rise in visitors if construction goes ahead.

A spokesperson from Nene Park Trust, which owns most of the land where the new shared-use path is proposed, said: “Creating recreation opportunities for the people of Peterborough is central to the trust’s purpose and this project represents an important connection, enabling visitors to safely explore the park and link up with other great offers such as Nene Valley Railway at their Wansford station and the rural road network further west.”

The proposal would allow passing walkers and cyclists to enjoy views over the meadows to the River Nene which do not exist at present.

Keith Parkinson, chairman of NVR, said: “The whole project to link Peterborough with villages to give alternative means of transport for cyclists and pedestrians is to be applauded.

“It’s good business for us on the railway and good for local cyclists, pedestrians and tourists.”

The new path would link with the wider footpath and cycle infrastructure network within Peterborough via Ailsworth and Castor to the east, and west to the villages of Stibbington.

It is also hoped that it would link with the wider countryside lanes in Northamptonshire, opening up access to villages such as Warmington and Elton.

The new cycle and footpath, if funding of at least £400,000 can be secured, would be thanks to the hard work of volunteers from the Peterborough Cycle West Project who have been pursuing this vision for the past 10 years.

The group, which has more than 200 supporters, has raised £20,000 to allow for sustainable transport charity Sustrans to devise the scheme which has now received widespread recognition, with Keith praising the design for being “sympathetic with heritage infrastructure”.

Co-founder of Peterborough Cycle West Project, Andrew Nash, said: “Cycling is high on the national agenda. With problems like congestion on the roads, encouraging cycling is a good thing, but people have to put resources into it as well.”

Matthew Barber, head of partnerships (Midlands and East) at Sustrans, said: “It’s a really exciting project. Volunteers have come together and put a huge amount of effort in, over many years, to benefit the people of Peterborough.”

THE PLANS

Under the plans submitted to the council, the shared-use route would link the village of Sutton with NVR’s Wansford Station.

It would be a 2.5m wide tarmac surface at ground level and would utilise part of the safeguarded land of the former Wansford to Stamford railway line.

The path would then cross an existing field ditch onto a new 3m wide timber cycle/footbridge before continuing under the eastern most flood span of the railway bridge.

A new, wider flight of steps would then replace the existing narrow and steep steps leading up to the footbridge across the River Nene to the NVR station.

These would also have a landing at the midpoint and top to allow users to see across the footbridge and any oncoming people.

A ‘wheeling rail’ is proposed on the steps to make it possible for cyclists to push their bicycles up to the bridge, while a cycle rack for a limited number of cycles would be provided at the bottom of the steps for those who wish to leave their cycles there and walk across to the NVR.

At present, the footbridge is a permissive right of way, owned by NVR.

CHALLENGES

Designing a route which is acceptable to all parties has been a “challenge” according to Matt, with the path having to be raised due to the flooding risk.

Approval from the trust and NVR has been needed, and even if planning permission is granted there is still much more hard work before construction can begin due to the funding challenge.

Having raised £20,000 just to get the plans designed, between £400,000 and £500,000 may now be needed to see them come to fruition.
Andrew said if the planning application gets the green light, funding bids will be submitted to Highways England, the National Lottery and other organisations which support cycling projects.

He added: “Cycling is high on the national agenda. With problems like congestion on the roads, encouraging cycling is a good thing, but people have to put resources into it as well.”

A47

The new Sutton to NVR path would tie in with potential plans from Highways England to introduce a new route for walkers, cyclists and horse riders when they dual the A47 between Wansford and Sutton.

The planning application submitted to the council states that Highways England sees it becoming part of a possible route west into Leicestershire and north into Lincolnshire, while Andrew noted that it would give cycle access to Sacrewell.

He said: “Both projects would be major positive additions to the cycle network west of Peterborough.”

Matthew added: “For years and years nothing has happened that way. Now you have two complimentary schemes which could link in.

“All these projects, if they come together, could deliver a really exciting recreational route for families to the west of Peterborough, but it would need huge investment.”

REACTION

A large number of supportive letters from various groups are outlined in the planning application, although Sutton Parish Council remains opposed to the plans.

Andrew, who lives in Ailsworth, said: “I think they’re worried about large increases of cyclists coming through their village.

“They’re concerned about the possibility of accidents, especially with horses. Quite a few people ride horses round there.

“There’s always a possibility of accidents with cycles as there are with cyclists and vehicles. I think their concerns are exaggerated, and there will be benefits for the village.”

Matthew added: “You can see families at Nene Park cycling to Wansford Station. They spend time looking at the trains, have a bite to eat, then get a single ticket back to Orton Mere. There’s a nice offer there.

“It’s a really exciting project. Volunteers have come together and put a huge amount of effort to benefit the people of Peterborough.”

A spokesperson from Nene Park Trust said: “Nene Park Trust have worked with the Peterborough Cycle West group for a number of years to develop these proposals which have now been submitted for planning approval.

“Creating recreation opportunities for the people of Peterborough is central to the trust’s purpose and this project represents an important connection, enabling visitors to safely explore the park and link up with other great offers such as Nene Valley Railway at their Wansford station and the rural road network further west.

“We look forward to working with PCW and other stakeholders as this project progresses.”

Keith Parkinson, chairman of NVR, said: “We welcome this and are grateful for Peterborough Cycle West’s support. We’ve been working with Andrew Nash for sometime and the group have been very keen to work with us.

“The whole project to link Peterborough with villages to give alternative means of transport for cyclists and pedestrians is to be applauded. The A47 from Sutton to Wansford is dangerous.

“It’s good business for us on the railway and good for local cyclists, pedestrians and tourists.”

Commenting on the first month since NVR opened post-lockdown, Keith added: “It’s been very successful. We’ve had very good feedback from passengers recognising restrictions, having to keep people apart, having one-way systems.

“We’ve invested a lot of time and money which is showing with passenger confidence.”

Nene Valley Railway is also desperately seeking volunteers to carry out a range of roles which include painting, building and gardening.