Concerns have been voiced about the possible impact of traffic delays on some city centre businesses when work begins to transform a major roundabout.

The worries have been prompted by news that a year-long construction project is about to start to upgrade the Queensgate roundabout as part of the city’s £65 million Station Quarter regeneration.

Peterborough City Council is expected to announce plans soon for some road restrictions on Bourges Boulevard and Thorpe Road at the roundabout in the next few weeks.

The £5 million works, called City Link, are being carried out to make the pedestrian and cycle route between the train station and Cowgate, which is the gateway to the retail heart of the city centre, feel safer and more pleasant to use.

The route for the new City Link along the Queensgate roundabout in Peterborough. The subway in the foreground will remain but the subway at the Cowgate end will be filled in as part of the £5 million project.

placeholder image — The route for the new City Link along the Queensgate roundabout in Peterborough. The subway in the foreground will remain but the subway at the Cowgate end will be filled in as part of the £5 million project.

Pep Cipriano, chief operating officer of Peterborough Positive, which operates the city centre’s Business Improvement District, said: "There have been a few concerns expressed by some businesses about the duration of the project and how it might impact their income.

He said: "It is natural for businesses to be concerned and my job is to listen to what they say and feedback to the local authority.

"I think this project really is going to be a case of some short term pain for long term gain.”

New image shows how £5 million investment will transform Queensgate Roundabout i...

This image shows how the new Queensgate roundabout will appear once its planned transformation. The pedestrian area is to the left and with the segregated cycle way on the right. They are separated by a rain garden. There will be extensive planting on either side.

Mr Cipriano said there would be a meeting of businesses in the city centre to discuss issues around the works and the council’s vision for the Station Quarter development.

Peterborough MP Andrew Pakes said: “It is positive to see the Station Quarter and City Links works start after years of talk but I also understand it will cause some disruption whilst construction is underway.

"I’ve already spoken with the Mayor and council and we are all agreed that whilst these works are necessary, we need to ensure disruption is minimised and well communicated in advance.

He added: “Ultimately the results of this work will be good news for Peterborough and whilst I keep my eyes on the prize I’ll also be monitoring the situation closely.”

What is the Station Quarter regeneration?

The £65 million Station Quarter project was allocated £47.8 million by the Government in October 2023 through its Levelling Up funds to improve the station and surrounding areas.

The remainder of the funding is expected to come from private investors.

Designs for the Station Quarter have been put together by Ove Arup, which is the company selected by the project partners – Peterborough City Council, the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, train operator LNER, and Network Rail - to draw up a masterplan and business case for the Station Quarter.

The Station Quarter development will feature:

New western entrance that creates a double-sided station for improved accessibility from the west side of the city.

Multi-storey car park that will be located on the western side to support the new entrance.

A new station square which will be a public area designed to be a gateway to the city.

Refurbished eastern station buildings with improvements made to the existing station buildings on the city centre side.

New pedestrian and cycle routes with a landscaped route, including a new link to replace the Cowgate underpass, connecting the station to the city centre and the Cathedral.

Infrastructure improvements that will feature new junctions and drop-off points to reduce traffic congestion.

Future development: The project also aims to unlock land currently used for surface parking for future commercial and residential development.