Proposed major road changes by Peterborough’s Embankment revealed

Two options to improve traffic flow have been identified as a result of the new Peterborough university which is due to open in September 2022.

The first option includes creating a new slip-road from the Frank Perkins Parkway onto Bishop’s Road, while the second includes dualling Boongate between its junction with the parkway and the roundabout by Eastfield Road, New Road and Crawthorne Road.

Both options also include creating a new roundabout at the St John’s Street/Wellington Street junction.

The works are being progressed by the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority - the area’s mayoral body - as “intervention is needed to reduce existing and future congestion and facilitate the development of the Embankment area, including the Peterborough university”.

Both packages will now be investigated further, with works on the preferred option expected to begin in April 2024.

Funding is due to be provided by a combination of the combined authority, the Department for Transport and developer contributions from a scheme to convert an agricultural site at Red Brick Farm in Edgerley Drain Road, Fengate, into an major industrial estate.

The project will be run by Peterborough City Council with works likely to be undertaken by its contracting partner Skanska.

The first of the proposed options outlined in a newly publicised report includes a new slip-road northbound linking the Frank Perkins Parkway with Bishop’s Road, as well as the southern slip-road onto the Boongate roundabout having traffic lights.

The second option includes introducing traffic lights on slip roads in both directions from the parkway towards the Boongate roundabout, as well as a new left-hand turn from the parkway onto Boongate itself.

The first option is expected to be far cheaper than the second (an estimated £7.5 million compared to £27.2 million) and provide much better value for money.

However, it would also require the removal of 10 “well-established Corsican Elm trees which have a high community asset value,” as well as a loss of green space at Bishop’s Road.

Action is being taken because of “significant capacity issues” on the Frank Perkins Parkway which includes “severe peak hour congestion”.

This is expected to get worse due to the opening of the new technical university by the Embankment, the likelihood of a new Peterborough United stadium, also at the Embankment, and planned growth in Fengate.

The new university - ARU Peterborough - is due to initially have 48 parking spaces at its campus, although these will not be for staff, students or visitors, while a nearby research centre is set to have a car park with 180 spaces.

However, with three more university buildings scheduled to open in the coming years the need for more parking will grow.

Any improvements at the Boongate/Fengate junction would require the purchase of a “small portion of land,” the report adds.

The combined authority’s board is expected to approve £160,000 of funding to produce a more detailed report into both potential options at its next meeting.

Package 1

• New Northbound off-slip linking the A1139 Frank Perkins Parkway with the Bishop’s Road

• 40m flare extension on the Bishop’s Road east (Junction 38)

• Signalisation of the A1139 Frank Perkins Parkway southbound off-slip (Junction 5)

• 40m flare extension on Fengate west and creation of a dedicated right turn lane on Fengate east (Boongate/Fengate Junction)

• Creation of a roundabout at St John’s Street/Wellington Street

Package 2

• Signalisation of the A1139 Frank Perkins Parkway northbound and southbound off-slips, extension of the northbound off-slip left turn flare and provision of a left dedicated lane from the A1139 Frank Perkins Parkway northbound off-slip to Boongate west (Junction 5)

• 40m flare extension on the Bishop’s Road East (Junction 38)

• Dualling of Boongate west between Junction 5 and Junction 39

• 40m flare extension on Fengate West and creation of a dedicated right turn lane on Fengate east (Boongate/Fengate Junction)

• Creation of a roundabout at St John’s Street/Wellington Street