Mayor says Peterborough Station Quarter project 'will be delivered' even after amber risk rating
The project aims to regenerate the area around Peterborough Station
The Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough has insisted the plans will go ahead even after after the plans were given an ‘amber’ risk rating. The Peterborough Station Quarter project "will be delivered"
Mayor Dr Nik Johnson said the work would take place and that it would be “delivered very well”, although he said authorities needed to be ‘transparent and pragmatic’ about the process.
The project aims to regenerate the area around Peterborough Station, creating a new western entrance to the station with a car park, as well as a new wider footbridge over the train lines.
The government awarded £48million of funding 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.
The project was given an ‘amber’ risk rating in a recent progress report published by the Combined Authority.
The report said an ‘amber’ rating meant “without action, successful delivery is in doubt. and/or there is uncertainty and risk surrounding future deliverability”.
Officers told Combined Authority members at a investment committee meeting that 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.
The Mayor also addressed the amber rating, stating it was important for the authority to show “openness and transparency” and be “pragmatic” about the “complicated work”.
“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."__
“It would not surprise me if in the long term it may remain amber until we cut the ribbon."
The Mayor added “I absolutely see that the Peterborough Station Quarter will be delivered and it will be delivered very well, but we have to do it transparently, honestly and be pragmatic about the whole process.”
He said the station quarter project was “absolutely integral” to the growth plans in the area, and said the Combined Authority would continue to work with others, including the government and MPs in the area.