More traffic lights for BourgesBoulevard

Works on the new turning are expected to begin in the summer, while the car park will then be turned into a multi-storey. A new office block will also be built next to it.

The announcement was made by Peterborough City Council leader Councillor John Holdich in an interview with the Peterborough Telegraph where he set out his agenda for the next 12 months.

Cllr Holdich (71) told the PT he will seek re-election by his Conservative colleagues to remain as leader when the party holds its AGM in May. He also said he is unaware of anyone challenging him for the role which he took up in 2015.

Putting forward his priorities in Peterborough, the council leader said:

l Plans for the redevelopment of North Westgate will be put on display to the public in the next year and could include a new swimming pool

l Plans for a “very special” museum to display the finding at Must Farm, and a new research facility, could be drawn up in 12 months’ time

The most eye-catching development, though, is bringing in a right-turn for motorists travelling south-bound on Bourges Boulevard, as currently there is no place for drivers to change direction between the Rivergate and Queensgate roundabouts.

The turning will include traffic lights and a pedestrian crossing, and unlike previous Bourges Boulevard works near the new Waitrose there will be no trees or artwork.

Cllr Holdich said: “There’s a lot of surplus land at the railway. You will see very shortly we will be putting a right turn to go into the site.

“In the car park there will be a multi-storey so we can put in an office block to make that an attraction.

“The world changes if someone wants to spend money in Peterborough and do something exciting, but we are short of office space.

“Hopefully it will start in the summer and be completed in six months.”

After several false dawns there is now renewed hope that the much-desired regeneration of North Westgate can take a step forward in the next 12 months.

The council has stepped in with £15 million of funding to buy land and property on the site to kickstart the project after an earlier £100 million cinema-led development ground to a halt.

The new plan, which is expected to be fully revealed in the next year, could see a new swimming pool built as the regional pool is “out-of-date” according to Cllr Holdich.

He said: “We have started work on a vision for North Westgate. We need to have a viable, sustainable plan including housing, leisure and jobs.

“Within the next 12 months we want to be out on consultation on what we can achieve for that area. I believe our success in Fletton Quays shows we can bring success to the plan for North Westgate.

“It needs to be anchored around a leisure facility.

“An option we are looking at is building a new swimming pool to run and we can attract more people to swimming. We can then have other leisure operators around it.”

The council leader also talked about plans to showcase the fascinating Bronze Age history found at Must Farm and Flag Fen.

The PT reported in January that talks with local organisations about a museum or heritage centre were underway.

Cllr Holdich said he wants something “very special” created, adding: “Our chief executive is chairing a partner group on it.

“We not only want to build a museum, but something exciting, and we can also build a research establishment.

“These finds are of international importance and we need to make the most of that. It’s a realistic goal providing the money comes in, but it’s going to take many millions.

“Within the next year we will have a proposal we can then seek funding for.”

Asked about his record as council leader, Cllr Holdich said: “The council, cabinet and all the councillors in Peterborough have, in challenging circumstances, given an improving service to the residents in Peterborough.

“Certainly a more cost-effective service because we have lost a lot of our government grant. The letters I get show people do understand and see what we are trying to achieve.”

He added: “I’m not aware of anybody that’s standing against me. I believe the council under my leadership has a good record.”