Motorists warned to expect disruption when work starts on Peterborough regeneration project
Motorists are being warned to plan for traffic disruption around a major roundabout in Peterborough as work is due to start in weeks on a major regeneration project.
The alarm has been sounded as Peterborough City Council chiefs prepare to reveal the plans they have drawn up to help motorists get around as work starts on the £65 million Station Quarter regeneration project.
The first phase of the works will be the creation of a new pedestrian and cycle way, called City Link, that will transform the Queensgate roundabout and which will be a user-friendly route from the train station to Cowgate and the city centre.
But the works are expected to bring disruption to road users as two large subways under the roundabout are filled in as part of the long awaited improvement works.
Councillor Shabina Qayyum, council leader, said: "The City Link project will remove the two subways that run underneath the Queensgate roundabout, creating a surface level access to the city centre that runs all the way from Cowgate from the train station.
“The landscape will also be enhanced, making the area feel safer and more attractive.
She said: "The site fencing for the trial holes will be set up at the end of May and we will be releasing information on the Temporary Traffic Regulation Orders for the lane closures on Queensgate roundabout in June.
"We will work together with our partners to ensure that any disruption to motorists, pedestrians/cyclists, local businesses and wider residents is communicated clearly and ahead of schedule.
Cllr Qayyum added: We are really excited about the launch of our Station Quarter City Link project, which will create a more direct route for pedestrians and cyclists from Peterborough Train Station to the city centre (via Cowgate).
"The railway station is approximately 10 minutes walking distance of the city centre.
"Currently the route is not easy or welcoming for people to navigate with a maze of narrow pavements, dark underpasses and pedestrian bridges.”
Work has already been completed to axe 35 trees on the roundabout. They will be replaced by more than 50 trees and shrubs and a rain garden and stone walls.
Before construction work starts, a compound for the construction equipment will be put up.
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.