Peterborough station revamp plan reaches 'significant milestone'
Earlier, the council's cabinet authorised the expenditure of a Towns Fund grant of nearly £1.5m relating to the city-link phase of the works.This would focus on removing the underpass at the Queensgate roundabout by raising the ground level to form an easier route to the city centre.Nick Thulbourn, cabinet member for growth and regeneration, said: "This milestone marks a significant step towards transforming the station area into a vibrant and more pleasant gateway into our city."Projects of this size don't come around often, and lots of hard work has gone into developing the detailed designs."There's still much to do, of course, but I'm excited to hopefully see spades in the ground later in the year for the city-link, as the first package of works."
'Landmark project'
Dr Nik Johnson, mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, said: "We're making real progress on this landmark project, creating a more welcoming station area for both residents and visitors while unlocking huge opportunities for jobs, homes and economic growth."Robin Dobson, of Network Rail, said: "The submission of the full business case is an important step in moving this partnership project forward and delivering transport-led regeneration for the people of East Anglia."
Follow Peterborough news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
7 hours ago
- The Independent
Why will Heathrow's third runway be such a long haul?
Q On Heathrow: why will it take 10 years to build what is basically a small road? Aaron M A Heathrow airport has just published its long-awaited plans for a third runway. They are basically the same as those recommended by the Davies Commission a decade ago after years of consultation: a 3,500m runway to the northwest of the present airport. In one sense, this is a road a couple of miles long. So why indeed should it take 10 years to build and cost £21bn (plus an additional £12bn for terminal capacity)? First, because even after years of discussion that have led to these 'shovel-ready' proposals, the planning process will drag on for several more years. The Department for Transport is now considering Heathrow's proposals as well as cheaper competing options. When the choice is made, the next process involves work on a Development Consent Order (DCO). That will involve yet another public consultation on Heathrow's expansion and is likely to take around 18 months. The Planning Inspectorate will consider the application and make a recommendation to the transport secretary, who will decide whether to grant the DCO. Assuming the scheme is approved, in line with Labour's commitment to growth, opponents of expansion are certain to launch legal challenges to the minister's decision. Heathrow cannot begin construction until that process is completed. At present, the best hope among proponents of the third runway is that work will begin by July 2029, ie within the lifetime of the present parliament. That leaves six years before the 2035 vow for planes to be taking off and landing. It still looks like a long time for this strip of concrete. But it is rather more complicated than the average road. Hundreds of homes must be demolished first. The third runway is intended to stretch across the current route of the M25, which will be relocated into a tunnel. Vast amounts of work will need to be carried out to connect the new facility to the existing airport, which itself will be extensively remodelled – all the while remaining open to air traffic for 19 hours a day. Accordingly, 2035 begins to look optimistic. Ryanair's chief executive, Michael O'Leary, says the new runway will not open until 2040 at the earliest – not that he has any intention of using the expanded Heathrow, unlike rival easyJet. Q Have you ever been to a destination that you'd never go back to? Lou Gray A Plenty. In almost every case, though, I will not return even though I greatly enjoyed the place on one or more previous visits. It's just because there are so many more places to see. For example, I regard Orkney and Shetland, the Northern Isles of Scotland, as among the most beautiful, intriguing and rewarding destinations in the world. But I have visited each archipelago twice, explored thoroughly, met some lovely people and enjoyed some superb food. With other Scottish islands unvisited, such as Jura and Colonsay in the west, I have no plans to return to the north. The same applies to many other destinations I have been fortunate enough to visit: I thoroughly enjoyed a week in Missouri last year, but don't feel the US state has many secrets left to reveal. And just last week I was in the Greek island of Paros; I don't expect ever to return to its simplicity and beauty since there are dozens of other islands in the Aegean I want to see. If, though, you meant where have I found underwhelming, thankfully, there are very few. On a cruise taking in Greenland and Arctic Canada, I found the ports of call mostly sad places, reflecting the deep social problems faced by these locations – though my view may have been coloured by the shambolic running of the operation by the Canadian travel firm. Conversely, there are some locations to which I will return repeatedly. They are mainly 'world cities' with many dimensions and are constantly reinventing themselves. These include Paris, Istanbul, Mumbai, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Singapore, Sydney, Buenos Aires, Mexico City, Chicago and New York. (In different times, I would add Moscow and St Petersburg to that list.) And also great mountain ranges: the Alps, Pyrenees and Himalayas have so many facets and endless beauty. Q I am travelling to New Zealand in December with my partner. We have an eight-hour stop at Hong Kong. Is it straightforward to leave the airport and see the place for a few hours before returning for our next flight? Degsy M A Yes. Your baggage will be checked through to New Zealand, allowing you to explore unencumbered, and you will have your boarding pass for the onward flight. Thankfully, immigration into Hong Kong is invariably swift, and the Airport Express train takes only 24 minutes to reach Hong Kong Island, for a fare of HK$130 (about £10) each way. The final stop locates you perfectly for exploring Hong Kong Central – probably the most exciting part of this hyperactive territory. Head for Man Mo Temple, a Taoist place of worship dedicated to the gods of literature (Man) and war (Mo). Wander through the interior as colourful as it is reverential, with smouldering coils of incense providing a heavenly aroma. A short walk away, explore PMQ: the 'Police Married Quarters' dormitory complex built in 1951. The police officers and their spouses have moved out to cosier accommodation. Bright young sparks have moved in, filling the mid-century architectural masterpiece with workshops, galleries and boutiques. And along at Tai Kwun, you find evidence of the British colonial one-stop shop of crime prevention, comprising Central Police Station, the Central Magistracy (now a restaurant) and Victoria Prison – where, once upon a time, Vietnamese leader Ho Chi Minh was on trial. Today, the complex is a venue for enlightenment. Begin your journey back to the airport by taking the iconic Star Ferry across the harbour to Kowloon, on the mainland. Make your way to West Kowloon Cultural District, a creative hub appropriately created on reclaimed land. The key attraction: M+, a vast new museum that celebrates Hong Kong's visual culture of the 20th and 21st centuries. Like Tate Modern in London and the Guggenheim in Bilbao, the structure itself is as compelling as the contents. Kowloon station is a five-minute walk away – and in just 22 minutes the Airport Express will whisk you back to the space-age terminal for your onward flight. Security is swift, so plan to be back at the airport just an hour or so before departure.
The Independent
13 hours ago
- The Independent
Electric cars eligible for new government grants revealed
The first electric car models eligible for new government grants have been revealed. The discount will be automatically applied at the point of sale. These are the first models approved under the new £650 million electric car grant. This will enable motorists purchasing a new electric car to save either £1,500 or £3,750, depending on sustainability criteria. It is hoped the measure will encourage more drivers to switch to electric motoring. Drivers will be able to save £1,500 with the purchase of new Citroen e-C3, e-C4, e-C5 and e-Berlingo cars, the Department for Transport (DfT) said. The DfT said many drivers cite upfront costs as a 'key barrier' to buying an EV, and the grant will bring down prices so they 'more closely match their petrol and diesel counterparts'. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: 'With the first four models approved today, and more to come over the next few weeks, this summer we're making owning an electric car cheaper, easier and a reality for thousands more people across the UK. 'Once again we're delivering our plan for change by standing firmly on the side of motorists and manufacturers, driving down costs for consumers, supporting jobs and putting money back in people's pockets.' Greg Taylor, managing director of Citroen UK, said: 'We want everyone to have the opportunity to make the switch to an electric car, and this support will help make our cars more accessible for our customers.' Edmund King, AA president, said 'any government support to boost the demand for EVs is welcome', adding: 'This discount of £1,500 for some more affordable EVs will help a number of those with tighter budgets. 'We look forward to seeing the full list of discounts up to £3,750 on more models to really push the market forward.' Dan Caesar, chief executive of lobby group Electric Vehicles UK, welcomed the announcement and called for manufacturers to 'support a scheme which the EV industry needs to be conspicuously successful'. Under the government's zero emission vehicle (Zev) mandate, at least 28 per cent of new cars sold by each manufacturer in the UK this year must be zero emission, which generally means pure electric. Across all manufacturers, the figure during the first half of the year was 21.6 per cent. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced in April that sales of new hybrids that cannot be plugged in will be permitted to continue until 2035. Changes to the Zev mandate also mean it will be easier for manufacturers who do not meet the targets to avoid fines.
BBC News
a day ago
- BBC News
Row over 'cheeky' Deepings homes plan
A row has broken out over new housing in City Council (PCC) has been accused of being "cheeky" for wanting to put new homes close to its border with The Deepings in Lincolnshire.A council spokesperson said "the area's young people need new housing".However, Councillor Phil Dilks, of neighbouring South Kesteven District Council (SKDC), said it would "put more strain on infrastructure". The Deepings, which includes Deeping St James and Market Deeping, currently has 6,276 homes, according to the 2021 has allocated a further 1,800 homes in the area under its local plan, which is currently out for public has also earmarked some nearby land, just into its border, to take 1,050 houses, in its local plan, which is also being consulted on. If both plans get signed-off by the government, the total number of homes in the area would increase by 45%. Judy Stevens of Deeping St James Parish Council said residents were worried about the prospect of more housing without extra facilities such as shops and schools."People already feel let down because they have been promised increased infrastructure as a result of already existing new developments and that hasn't translated into reality," she said."They're not saying not in my backyard, but they are saying no to this many." Dilks, who represents Deeping St James on SKDC, said: "Market Deeping and Deeping St James are entirely in South Kesteven District Council. What Peterborough are looking at is a piece of land south of Market Deeping."We have made our views known to Peterborough and I think it's a bit of a cheek when clearly those people would be using the infrastructure that is already strained in The Deepings".Councillor Nick Thulbourn, cabinet member for growth and regeneration at PCC, agreed anyone buying the new houses in its area would use the public amenities over the border in he said any strain on infrastructure would be factored into the local plan when it was adopted."Peterborough is a young growing city so we need housing and we need for young people to get on with their lives," he said. Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. Download the BBC News app from the App Store for iPhone and iPad or Google Play for Android devices
