New £32m rail crossing near Peterborough will be named after Fenland councillor

The Kings Dyke Causeway has officially been renamed the ‘Ralph Butcher Causeway’ in honour of the former councillor.

Cllr Butcher retired in May 2019, having been both Chairman of Fenland District Council, and a councillor on Cambridgeshire County Council for many years, as well as the longest serving Whittlesey Town councillor.

Championing all things Fenland, Cllr Butcher’s tireless work over five decades played an important role in ensuring this often very congested transport link was replaced with the new causeway, currently under construction, that will now bear his name.

Speaking to members of Fenland District Council at their online Full Council meeting (23 February), current Leader of the Council, Cllr Chris Boden, said: “It is my pleasure and my privilege to propose this motion to rename the Kings Dyke Crossing between Peterborough and Whittlesey after former Cllr Ralph Butcher.

“It shall be called the ‘Ralph Butcher Causeway’ and anybody who knows the road will confirm the £32m project, due to open next year, will be vital for the future growth of that part of Fenland.

“His service preceded the Local Government Act 1972, which means he was here before ‘Fenland’ even existed.

“Almost fifty years ago Cllr Butcher started his campaign for a bridge over the Kings Dyke Crossing to alleviate the traffic problems of the 1970s which must’ve paled in comparison to those we have now.

“He’s been relentless in his fight for this project, bringing it up at council meetings time after time.

“Not only am I therefore delighted that he will see the new causeway rise up from the ground, but that it will bear his name for all time.”

Chairman Cllr Alex Miscandlon added: “I served with Cllr Butcher for eight years and he was a thoroughly nice guy and great mentor.

“When he was initially approached to ask him if he would allow his name to be used in this way, he really didn’t know how to take it.

“Yes, he was honoured, his family and children were honoured to know that his work would be recognised for years to come.

“Of course, the irony is that his name isn’t ‘Ralph’, it’s Thomas! But his wife calls him ‘butch’, we all call him ‘Ralph’, and to everybody on this council he will always be Ralph Butcher.”

The motion was passed unanimously.

The new Ralph Butcher Causeway bypasses the notorious Kings Dyke Crossing between Whittlesey and Peterborough, which carried over 12,000 vehicles a day.

The old level crossing barrier closed between eight and 25 minutes every hour due to train movements on the track, so the new road will cut congestion, reduce journey times and assist local communities and businesses to grow.

Construction officially got underway on the project in July 2020, and is expected to be completed in 2022.