Vehicles numbers on Peterborough and Cambridgeshire’s roads above pre-coronavirus lockdown levels, but rush hour has ‘disappeared’

During lockdown due to the coronavirus, vehicle traffic on main roads in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough fell to 30 per cent of pre-lockdown levels, according to information contained in a Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority report.

Breaking down the figures, the report states that 42 per cent of buses and 50 per cent of trains ran, but passenger numbers were just four per cent of normal.

However, it adds that at the time of writing: “Vehicle traffic has bounced back to 105 per cent of pre-lockdown levels across the area, and in South Cambridgeshire and Huntingdonshire is at 120 per cent and more of pre-lockdown levels.

“This has, so far, been without a return of significant congestion.

“Although the available data does not allow us to analyse times of travel, comparison with information about bus ridership suggests that journeys are more evenly spread through the day.

“There is limited evidence, so far, of a return to a rush hour. This is corroborated by the fact that the lowest levels of vehicle traffic recovery are being seen in the

city – and therefore employment - centres of Cambridge and Peterborough.”

The report also indicates that bus and rail services are at a similar level pre-lockdown, but that “passenger numbers have not recovered and are at about 30-35 per cent of normal”.

Sustainable transport

The combined authority was awarded £2.94 million for active travel measures by the Government which will be received in two tranches.

Even though all the money has not been sent yet by the Government, the mayoral body has advanced the full total to Cambridgeshire County Council and Peterborough City Council.

The measures funded by the first tranche were due to be completed by the end of August, and those funded by the second by the end of next March.

Outlining what has been delivered so far, the combined authority said in Tranche 1: “Peterborough City Council has delivered six schemes with additional monitoring sensors, some city-wide promotional signage and will commence the school streets projects once the schools go back.”

The project will see roads outside schools shut to traffic during opening and closing hours.

On Tranche 2, it is added: “Peterborough will deliver three segregated cycle lanes.”

The combined authority has also received a grant of £678,000 to fund extra home to school transport.

This will be passed on to both councils, while the mayoral body said it has also “offered support with sourcing extra capacity”.