Whittlesey residents demand bypass to end traffic nightmare after new masterplan for the town is unveiled

And while most of the content of the plan - which included re-locating the market, carrying out a huge overhaul of public transport services and building a new heritage centre - was welcomed, there is one thing above else residents want: to end the misery on the roads.

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The Peterborough Telegraph has sought the views of people living in the town about what improvements they would wish to see, and by far the most popular suggestion was a bypass to try and reduce traffic flow.

Currently, residents travelling to and from Peterborough get held up frequently at King’s Dyke Level Crossing, while alternative routes through North Bank and the B1040 have been closed in recent months due to flood warnings being issued by the Environment Agency.

This has infuriated motorists who believe the roads are closed despite there being no risk and no surface water, while the lengthy closures have only increased the gridlock at King’s Dyke.

This has not been helped with temporary traffic lights limiting traffic flow, and forthcoming works to add in a right-hand turning off the A605 towards the B1095 will only add to the traffic, as will future house building in Whittlesey.

Currently, Cambridgeshire County Council is re-tendering a contract to build a bridge over the level crossing after Kier’s costs for the project soared from an original budget of £13.6 million to nearly £39 million.

The project is now many years behind schedule with no end in sight, and according to many residents in Whittlesey it is no longer the answer to the traffic nightmare:

Sharon Bedford said there was a ‘strong feeling’ for a bypass which she would prefer to see than a bridge.

“I definitely don’t think we would get both,” she added, while noting that ambulances often get held up trying to get in and out of Whittlesey.

Sally Dowers said that a bridge was a “great idea 40 plus years ago,” but that it would now make no difference due to the extra traffic.

“A bypass is a far better option and would ease congestion,” she added.

The new masterplan - which was submitted to the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority (the county’s mayoral body) as part of its Masterplan for Growth initiative - put forward a new relief road from Coates to the Morrisons/Cardea Roundabout in Peterborough so that Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) can access industrial sites from the east rather adding to the congestion of residential routes.

Richard Exton said: “A bypass needs to go to the A1 with link roads to Coates, Eastrea, Whittlesey and so on. Not back to an over-loaded parkway.”

Liz Crosby said: “I agree with all the suggestions in the plan, but although I accept the need for the bridge I think the greater need is for a bypass to take the lorries away from the centre of town.”

However, she noted: “Along with a majority of people in Whittlesey I wonder if any of this will ever come to fruition. We are used to disappointment here!”

The need to promote Whittlesey more was highlighted in the masterplan and was a point touched upon by independent town councillor Eamonn Dorling, who represents Bassenhally ward.

He said: “In place of a bridge we need a southern bypass and an elevated causeway above the wetlands to the north if we are to attract new industry and employment.

“If Fenland towns such as Whittlesey, on the doorstep of Peterborough (one of the fastest growing cities in the UK) cannot aspire to better serve residents it will remain a backwater.”

Cllr Dorling highlighted the lack of a community hall, poor transport links (with buses and trains finishing early) and even a lack of electric vehicle charging points as examples of where Whittlesey is lagging behind other places.

“Residents are beginning to demand more and the world is changing. We need to embrace the opportunities that Fenland provides and develop a partnership with Peterborough and Cambridge that rewards all communities,” he added.

“We need people with vision and the ability to get things done to attract employment in new industries and services, we need to protect and enhance the environment and we need a town centre that adequately serves our community for all its needs.

“All of this needs to be included in a medium to long term plan that is not constrained by a failure to look beyond the current year.”

Paul Fuller, a Whittlesey resident for 40 years, called on those in power to “promote the town better and not just sit on there laurels of power”.

He continued: “We need an alternative supermarket and a better bus service.

“Why can’t the Whittlesey to Peterborough bus go via Cardea and drop off and pick up for Morrisons on its journey? At least that would give the people of Whittlesey who cannot drive or don’t want to another option.

“We have had music on the square for the last few years but the choices do not reflect what the younger generations would like.

“They also need to talk to environmental agencies about these spurious road closures and give regular updates on the King’s Dyke bridge.”

The square was another area which featured in the masterplan with plans to bring in outdoor dining if the Friday market is re-located to High Causeway, as well as more events.

Amanda Villamayor said she had previously spoken to the council about changing the market to a Saturday and having it at High Causeway, on top of bringing in specialised markets, although she claims the idea was not well greeted.

“I brought it up because I am a crafts person and it would have been fabulous to have a day where you could have wonderful local crafts as they do in places like Ely,” she added.

“I really hope that they do take this on board and it does happen.”