Five Peterborough stories you missed this week

The local authority confirms there are no families living in bed and breakfast accommodation, the Peterborough arch is reinstalled after repairs and the new Christmas display at the cathedral are among the five stories from this week, with a politics and sport round-up as well:

Arch reinstalled after £50,000 of repairs

The Peterborough Arch was taken down in 2022 for repairs

The Peterborough Arch at Thorpe Meadows, which underwent repairs costing more than £50,000, was reinstalled on Thursday.

The sculpture, which had overlooked Longthorpe Parkway for 34 years, was removed in 2022 due to safety reasons following extensive weather damage.

The four-metre tall (13ft) artwork, carved from iroko wood and fondly called "Bob", was restored by heritage experts Hall Conservation Ltd, who dried it, repaired damage, and applied varnish.

Artist Lee Grandjean said he was "delighted" his sculpture had been restored successfully.

Children no longer housed in B&Bs, says council

Sehrish Darr and her daughter Aiman said they were "grateful" for the support they received when living in a Travelodge

Children are no longer being housed in emergency bed-and-breakfast (B&B) accommodation following a campaign to end the practice, Peterborough City Council said.

Peterborough Citizens, an alliance of schools and charities, had called on the council to stop placing families in B&Bs after schools said the arrangements were having "a significant impact" on pupils.

The authority said the campaign had helped drive a 73% reduction in the use of B&Bs to house homeless people since December 2024 and no children were now in such settings.

Matt Oliver, the authority's head of housing needs, told a Peterborough Citizens' meeting that B&Bs and hotels represent "the worst kind of emergency accommodation".

He said families were instead being found self-contained housing or hostels.

Man accused of Huntingdon train stabbings faces more charges

Passengers on the 18:25 GMT LNER service on 1 November said a person brandishing a knife began stabbing people after it had passed through Peterborough

Anthony Williams, the man accused of stabbing 10 people on a train, has been charged with further offences that allegedly happened in the hours before the attack.

Mr Williams, of Langford Road in Peterborough, has now been charged with seven other offences, including the attempted murder of a 14-year-old boy in the city centre.

The 32-year-old did not appear at a brief hearing before Peterborough Magistrates' Court on Wednesday and no pleas were entered.

He has been remanded in custody and is due to appear at Cambridge Crown Court next month.

Cathedral launches immersive Christmas experience

The Wonders of Christmas event is open until 4 December at Peterborough Cathedral

Peterborough Cathedral has unveiled its first-ever immersive Christmas light and sound show, which aims to give the city centre a "magical transformation".

The Wonders of Christmas display opened on Wednesday and was expected to attract thousands of visitors.

The Reverend Canon Tim Alban Jones, vice dean of the cathedral, said the event was designed to engage the local community, allowing people to "claim their cathedral" and feel part of the historic building.

The experience also included a Christmas tree festival, featuring 40 real trees decorated by community groups, charities and local businesses.

Initial work begins on city regeneration project

The main works on the station regeneration are expected to start next year

Preliminary work to regenerate the area around Peterborough railway station has begun.

The Station Quarter project aims to improve links with, and pedestrian access to, the city centre. There will be a new station entrance building and a new multi-storey car park.

The early work is focusing on vegetation clearance, surveys and site preparation, with construction scheduled for next year.

Shabina Qayyum, leader of the city council, said the scheme would "transform this area into a much brighter, safer and accessible route for people".

This week in politics

A tribunal hearing and reactions to the upcoming budget have been reflected in the political stories this week

Two men from Cambridgeshire spoke about their hopes around increasing accessibility to housing in the government's upcoming Budget.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves will deliver Labour's second budget on 26 November.

Andrew, works in the security sector and lives in Peterborough in a home owned by the charity Hope Into Action.

He said he recognised that public services needed to be paid for and that if tax rises needed to happen to pay for them then "you've got to make good" yourself.

Two claims of harassment related to race against Peterborough City Council have been upheld by an employment tribunal.

Rochelle Tapping, who is black and of Caribbean origin, is a former director of legal and governance at the local authority.

The tribunal upheld complaints in relation to whether she was friends with another black female senior employee and over a picture shared on a WhatsApp group. It dismissed 41 other complaints made by Ms Tapping.

After the hearing, council chief executive Matt Gladstone said: "We will reflect carefully on the lessons to be learned."

Week in sports

Brandon Khela's goal was his first in the English Football League

Peterborough United made it four wins from four under new boss Luke Williams as they beat Stockport 3-0 at London Road on Thursday. Ben Woods opened the scoring, with Kyrell Lisbie and Brandon Khela adding to it. Posh are next in action against Stevenage on Tuesday.

Peterborough Sports slumped to a third straight defeat in the National League North as they lost 5-2 against Darlington.

Peterborough United Women dropped their first points of the season after they drew 0-0 with Barnsley. Posh are four points clear at the top of Division 1 Midlands.

Peterborough Phantoms are down to seventh in the National Ice Hockey League after losing to Leeds and Basingstoke. Ashley Tait's side have now lost four games in a row.