Peterborough's worst grotspot?: Call for action to clear up derelict homes on Cromwell Road
There has been a call for action to tidy up derelict and abandoned homes in Peterborough city centre.
The properties in Cromwell Road have been empty for years – and have been left boarded up, and covered in graffiti.
They are directly opposite Queensgate Bus Station, and also on a walking route from the railway station to the city centre, and it has been said the houses give a bad first impression to visitors arriving in Peterborough.
The homes are owned by Peterborough City Council, who said they are planned for use in the North Westgate Development project – but now there have been calls to tidy them up while plans for the major scheme are finalised.
Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Paul Bristow said: “It can’t be right that the first thing visitors see coming out of the bus station is defaced properties in a terrible state. That’s bad for Peterborough and it’s a prime example of why I’m in the process of setting up a Mayoral Development Corporation to regenerate our city centre.
"Redeveloping North Westgate has been talked about for decades with little progress. It’s time to change approach, and with a Mayoral Development Corporation, we have a real opportunity to breathe new life into Peterborough, like the previous Development Corporation did in the 1960s, 70s and 80s.”
Peterborough MP Andrew Pakes said street art could be used to brighten up the area.
He said: “It’s time to see concrete actions to speed up regeneration around North Westgate. We’re finally seeing work start on the Station Quarter which leaves North Westgate as unfinished business for the city.
"That’s why I am calling for a shake-up in regeneration in the city including a new development corporation for the city centre to drive investment and action to tackle boarded-up properties such as on Cromwell Road.
“We have some fantastic street art and murals in the city through groups like Peterborough Positive, which really add colour and character to the centre, but this is not that.”
A spokesperson for Peterborough City Council said: “The council currently owns four properties in Cromwell Road, which were purchased to form part of the North Westgate development.
“Proposals for this scheme are yet to be finalised, but we hope to announce updates in the near future.”