Residents were given more access to parks, and garden centres and building sites re-opened as the measures were relaxed on Wednesday. But there were warnings for people to remain cautious to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Superintendent Andy Gipp, area Commander for the north of Cambridgeshire said: “The efforts of the public over the past few weeks have meant police officers have rarely had to enforce the Government regulations and I am grateful for all the Communities within Peterborough and surrounding villages for being vigilant. There have been some areas which have caused us some issues, let’s be candid about this, Lincoln Road for example, and I have increased our patrols and engagement to manage this.
“As many of us are now able to spend much more time outdoors, each of us need to take responsibility for doing that within the restrictions set out by the Government. There appears to be significant flexibility compared to the last weeks. We all need to ensure that we live within the spirit of these new restrictions. The virus has not gone, it is still here and it remains a significant threat to us all. If we now choose to not comply with these new restrictions, common sense says that this will increase the risk to us all and put us in harm’s way. I have, in the main, been really impressed with our communities and it has ensured that we have kept as safe as we possibly can and allowed my officers to continue their work of policing within this extremely unusual time.
“Please continue to be disciplined and don’t undo all that we have achieved so far. In England, the police role has changed as public health regulations have changed. We will use common sense and discretion to determine what’s reasonable. Officers will engage, explain, encourage and, only as a last resort, enforce. I want to work with our communities and help, not against them by enforcing what is meant to keep us alive and out of harm’s way.”
Car parks at Ferry Meadows, Orton Mere and Thorpe Meadows opened for the first time since the lockdown began, but the parks themselves remained quiet across the city today, as cold winds blew through. However, golfers and anglers were able to get outside again on golf courses and waterways, and there were queues at garden centres.
Construction work was also able to begin on some projects across the city, including at Fletton Quays and Bridge Street, where the old police station is being turned into a hotel.
The demolition of the Northminster car park has now also taken a step forward - while work to pull down the British Sugar offices on Oundle Road has begun.
A British Sugar spokesman said: “We expect the works to last until early August, when the site will be handed over to the new developer. With the redevelopment of the site having been delayed through the planning process, we are pleased to get this work underway, particularly as there have been trespassers on site.
“The health and wellbeing of local residents and the contractors involved in the works is paramount, and strict procedures are in place with regard to COVID-19 which follow current government guidance. Strict controls on noise levels will also be implemented, including using state-ofthe-art machinery with low decibel ratings and processing material as far from residential boundaries as possible.”
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Fishermen at Float Fish Farm, Farcet fish day after lockdown Paul Knights with his fish EMN-200513-143644009 Photo: Midlands
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Fishermen at Float Fish Farm, Farcet fish day after lockdown EMN-200513-143655009 Photo: Midlands
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Construction re-starts on the Premier Inn hotel site at Bridge Street day after lockdown EMN-200513-143729009 Photo: Midlands