‘Bold action’ needed on cycling as temporary lanes in Peterborough to be removed

During the coronavirus pandemic the city received hundreds of thousands of pounds of government funding to improve sustainable transport including cycling and walking.

This has seen pop-up cycle lanes installed in Crescent Bridge, City Road, New Road and Priestgate, as well as road closures outside schools during the day.

However, proposals to limit parking and introduce cycling lanes in Cowgate and Broadway were overturned by the city council after businesses said re-opening after lockdown feared the economic impact of the move.

Peterborough City Council said that this week it will be “removing a number of the temporary walking and cycling measures in locations where there was limited take up of extra provision, as funding for temporary changes comes to an end”.

A spokesperson could not confirm which lanes will be removed, but said the school road closures will remain in place.

She added: “We are also maintaining the temporary changes which have been used the most during the project – the Crescent Bridge cycle lane and the footway changes on lower Broadway - to give us more time to review their impact before a decision is made on the future of these schemes.

“We’re pleased to have received further government funds for permanent changes to our roads to promote cycling and walking. A cross-party group of councillors has been set up to consider future projects and how the money can be best used to encourage people to travel actively in our area.”

Following the announcement, Green Party city councillor Nicola Day, who chairs the cross-party group, said: “These cycle lanes have given cyclists safe and secure routes through the city with many new riders taking up cycling as a preferred mode of transport.

“It is vital that the most successful lanes, such as the one on Crescent Bridge, remain in place and eventually become permanent fixtures.

“We need to see bold actions from our council. We need an ambitious level of vision in this city for cycling.

“We have a new university planned, the city is constantly growing and we need to ensure we offer safe and secure routes to all our residents. Cycling not only reduces carbon emissions, it also promotes physical and mental health.”