Councillor calls for delay on Peterborough's Queensgate roundabout transformation works
A urgent call has gone out for a halt to a £5 million venture to transform a major roundabout in Peterborough city centre.
The demand comes from a city councillor concerned at the impact that diversions at the Queensgate roundabout will have on streets in other parts of the city.
The major works on Queensgate Roundabout are set to start on July 6, and will last for around a year.
Now Cllr Ed Murphy, who represents the Fletton and Woodston ward, is calling for a temporary halt to the works until an assessment has been carried out on traffic flows that will result.
He says the project should wait until the impact of traffic restrictions caused by Anglian Water works in Bourges Boulevard are properly assessed.
Cllr Murphy has submitted a notice of motion to the next meeting of Peterborough City Council urging that the Queensgate works be delayed.
He said: “We need to assess the impact of traffic flows on other streets across the city. I am concerned if this will put more traffic on to Oundle Road or whether it might slow down traffic.”
His notice of motion urges that: “The council halts works until such time as we have information from the Anglian Water diversions and a review of any further reports and information the council needs.”
The motion adds: “On June 5 a report was submitted to the traffic department concerning the implications this will have areas in Peterborough covering several wards with traffic being diverted down Oundle Road and that this may continue after the works have been completed exasperating traffic issues elsewhere.
"Anglian Water plan works on Bourges Boulevard and this may give us an indication of how the roundabout alterations may influence traffic flows.”
Anglian Water is closing Bourges Boulevard ”no more than five days” from June 16 with works expected to take place overnight between 8pm and 6am as it seeks to get rid of the so-called Peterborough Pong.
Councillor Angus Ellis, cabinet member for transport at Peterborough City Council, said: “City Link - which is fully funded and ready to be launched - will transform this area into a brighter, safer and more accessible route. In addition, those coming out of Peterborough Railway Station will be able to clearly see a welcoming route to the city centre.
“For a project of this scale to be delivered, there will be disruption, but we need to keep our sights on the end goal and what will be achieved. Journey times may be affected during the works around the station. We have completed detailed traffic modelling for this project and will be doing everything we can to keep delays to a minimum. To put this project on hold could risk the delivery of a very important development making the station and links to and from better for Peterborough.
"We have already held a high level meeting and continue to speak to bus operators, the CPCA Mayor, Queensgate, the taxi trade and others about these works. In order to deliver on these critical works and manage congestion our officers have revisited the plans and have agreed a consensus with all stakeholders which should help to address disruption but there will always be anticipated congestion. We will be communicating regularly to keep residents and businesses informed."