Station regeneration plan will be delivered - mayor

A new western entrance to the station would be created under the plans

Major regeneration plans to develop a city's railway station and surrounding areas will go ahead despite concerns, a city mayor has said.

Last week, the Peterborough Station Quarter project was given an ‘amber’ risk rating which meant there was "uncertainty and risk surrounding future deliverability”.

However, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough's Combined Authority Mayor, Dr Nik Johnson, said it would be “delivered very well" and it was not unusual for big projects to get this rating.

"It would not surprise me if, in the long term, it may remain amber until we cut the ribbon," he said.

The previous government awarded £48m to regenerate the Peterborough train station and surrounding areas

As part of the project, a new western entrance to the station would be created as well as a new wider footbridge over the train lines, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

The previous government awarded £48m towards the first phase of the scheme from the Levelling Up Fund last year.

The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority secured the funding in partnership with Peterborough City Council- which is leading the works.

The project was given an ‘amber’ risk rating in a recent progress report published by the combined authority.

The report said: “Notably the challenge in maintaining a programme that delivers completion date of March 2026, as per the Levelling Up Fund conditions, and the challenge of delivering the station buildings within the budget.”

Officers told combined authority members at an investment committee meeting this week (29 August), that geotechnical surveys were currently being undertaken to look at the ground conditions, and said this was “the main reason” for the amber rating in the report.

Dr Nik Johnson said the authorities needed to be ‘transparent and pragmatic’ about the delivering a major project

Dr Johnson said: “Something has been made of putting an amber rating. I would love there to be green everywhere, but I would also like to be realistic.

“This amber rating reflects a prudent, professional understanding of what it takes to [deliver] a major infrastructure and regeneration programme.

“It would not surprise me if in the long term it may remain amber until we cut the ribbon, the sooner the better, but it may remain amber."

The mayor added the station quarter project was “absolutely integral” to the growth plans in the area, and said the combined authority would continue to work with the government and MPs in the area.