Peterborough council leader thanks drivers for patience over delays at major roundabout
Motorists have faced delays during peak travel time at Peterborough’s busiest roundabout as a £5 million works project gets under way.
The congestion has occurred at the Queensgate roundabout in the first week of a 40 weeks venture that will transform a major gateway to the city centre and see 1,000 tonnes of concrete poured into two subways.
The works began on July 6 and have seen lanes cut to just one at the roundabout which is thought to be the busiest in the city with access to car parks for the train station, the Queensgate shopping centre and the bus station .
Now the leader of Peterborough City Council has thanked motorists for their patience and has promised that the situation will be monitored throughout the next 40 weeks.
Councillor Shabina Qayyum, the council leader, said: “There have been some inevitable delays, particularly around peak times, so I want to thank people for their patience and support whilst this vitally important work continues.
"I am pleased to report that traffic is flowing relatively well at the Queensgate roundabout since the City Link roadworks started.
Cllr Qayyum said: “We will continue to monitor the situation in case adjustments are needed, but in the meantime, I would urge people to plan their journeys accordingly.
She added: “I use the route daily and it is only taking me about five minutes longer to get from A to B.
"I can be an impatient person but even I am coping.”
The ongoing £5 million transformation of the roundabout is the first phase of the city’s £65 million Station Quarter regeneration and will see a new pedestrian route and cycle way installed across the island.
Cllr Qayyum said: “The Station Quarter project is going to be a real game-changer for our city, benefitting residents and visitors for years to come.”
A spokesperson for Cambridgeshire police said that officers had not received any reports of traffic incidents on or near the roundabout since the start of the works.
Walking and Cycling
Walking – The subway system will be closed from Monday, 6 July. Two diversion routes have been set up:
A route to the railway station around the roundabout from Thorpe Road, via the Priestgate entrance and across Bourges Boulevard.
A dedicated walk-through across the station car park to the station.
Cyclists can either use Queensgate roundabout, or dismount from their cycles and use the pedestrian diversion routes.
Parking
Peterborough Railway Station - From Monday 29 June, the capacity of the main station car park will be reduced by 111 spaces around the Priority Parking area. Please allow extra time for parking and consider using Mayor’s Walk or Spittle Bank car parks.
The short stay car park and drop off zone will remain open and taxis and vehicles will be able to continue to use the route around the car park and entrance and exit as normal.
Queensgate – All car parks will remain open.
Buses
There are expected to be short delays to bus times, however, Queensgate roundabout is still operational.