A proposal to submit three business cases to Government to apply for Towns Fund money totalling £6million has been welcomed by the city’s Towns Fund Board.

The board agreed that the projects should be in the second round of those submitted to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC). If approved by the city council and DLUHC, Peterborough will receive the funds to bring these projects into fruition.

The three projects are: The creation of a pedestrian bridge over the River Nene, a public realm upgrade of Lincoln Road and improved access to Peterborough Station Quarter for pedestrians, cyclists and people with reduced mobility.

The city council is now finalising the business cases for these projects and expects to be able to submit these to Government in July:

• River Nene Pedestrian Bridge (£2million Towns Fund) – A pedestrian bridge constructed which will sit between the Embankment and Fletton Quays. It will offer pedestrians and cyclists with an alternative route across the river, away from the busy main road and will create a good link from the south of the city to the new university campus. This project is also expected to receive additional funding from other sources including Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, if approved by the board and Peterborough City Council’s redevelopment budget. A public consultation is due to take place in the autumn.
• Lincoln Road (£2.5million Towns Fund) – A public realm scheme which will see revitalised footpaths either side of the road, bins, cycle parking, benches, and potentially a community art trail and shrubs or trees. This project will receive additional funding from Peterborough City Council’s redevelopment budget and expected grant funding. A public consultation is due to take place on this scheme in the summer.
• Peterborough Station Quarter (£1.5m Towns Fund) – A range of improvements to better connect the train station directly to the city centre. This will allow visitors/commuters a great first impression of Peterborough, cut down travelling time and create a safer and more visible route. There will also be improved accessible routes for pedestrians, cyclists and those with reduced mobility. A public consultation will take place in the autumn. It is just one part of the wider Peterborough Station Quarter Masterplan, which aims to transform this area of the city, including station improvements and enhancements, a western entrance and car parking and release of land for commercial and residential development. A further funding application for elements of the wider masterplan for up to £50million is expected to be sought through the Government’s Levelling Up Fund.

Towns Fund projects that have already been submitted to Government are the creation of a Green Technology Centre at Peterborough College and an Activity Centre at Nene Park. Approval for funding of these projects is expected shortly. Other smaller Towns Fund projects, the Embankment Masterplan (£200,000) and the Incubation Hub (£120,000) did not require a business case and have already had their funding delivered.

A further project – The Vine – which involves the creation of a community hub and city centre library in the former TK Maxx building will be submitted to the Government in the autumn.

Matthew Bradbury, independent chair of the Peterborough Towns Fund, said: “This is our second round of Towns Fund projects which will be going to Government and could signal the start of some large-scale and exciting projects in the city.

“A lot of work has gone on behind the scenes to create these business cases and we’ve been in close discussions with DLUHC while doing this. The final decision should be given by Government in the autumn.”

Councillor Wayne Fitzgerald, leader of Peterborough City Council, said: “The projects detailed in this scheme will make our city easier to walk and cycle around and will improve accessibility for people with reduced mobility. The pedestrian bridge will be an iconic landmark for our city. The Lincoln Road scheme will be a much-needed improvement to this area of our city. The Station Quarter development will help create a more attractive and easier route to the city centre. All projects will enhance our city and complement the other developments that we have ongoing. This is only good news for Peterborough.”