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This is an exciting opportunity for those who live, work, visit or own a business in Peterborough. The project aims to reclaim, reinvigorate and renew the areas around Peterborough Railway Station - also known as the 'Peterborough Station Quarter' - to create a more enjoyable and accessible space for everyone.

The project aims to improve the existing station and surrounding areas.

All the information about this project, along with the survey, are available on this page. However, if you wish to see more visuals, please visit the Commonplace website.

Accessible text summary for diagram 1 available below
Diagram 1

Key components of the Peterborough Station Quarter.

Western side of Peterborough Railway Station:

  1. Cycle parking to the west of the station
  2. Construction of a new western station entrance to include new stairs, lifts and ticket gates
  3. Demolition of existing Crescent House office. This will release the area for redevelopment as a multi-storey car park.
  4. Construction of a new junction onto Thorpe Road and access road with drop-off locations

Eastern side of Peterborough Railway Station:

5. Reorganisation of taxi pick-up and drop-off
6. Reorganisation of drop-off locations and accessible parking spaces
7. Creation of a new pedestrianised station square
8. Cycle parking to the east of the station
9. Partial in-filling of the Queensgate roundabout and installation of a signalised pedestrian crossing
10. An improved, attractive pedestrian and cycle route from the eastern entrance to the city centre

The proposed scheme

Not actual proposal - a design example - West Hampstead Railway Station - row of ticket barriers
West Hampstead Railway Station ticket gates
Not actual proposal - design example - West Hampstead Railway Station exterior - single storey building, trees, cycle racks
West Hampstead Railway Station
Not actual proposal - a design example - Twickenham Station Concourse
Twickenham Station Concourse

The project aims to:

  • Create a welcoming and vibrant destination on the east and west sides of the station
  • Make the station easier to access with a new entrance on the western side
  • Make the station more attractive by enhancing the nearby surroundings to be more friendly and inviting for residents and visitors
  • To improve station to city connections in all directions, bringing the surrounding communities together around the interchange

Project aims and benefits

The project aims to benefit both residents and visitors of Peterborough by:

  • Improving connectivity between the station and city centre
  • Enhancing public spaces
  • Improving accessibility
  • Providing a more attractive first impression of the city
  • Improving station capacity and facilities

Eastern entrance to the railway station

The proposals for the eastern entrance are to improve the space and access, creating a more welcoming gateway to the city by:

  • Improving the existing station building
  • Delivering a new station square, allowing for easier onward journeys
  • Better connecting rail and other travel modes
  • Reducing the amount of land required for car parking by building a new multi-storey car park which will be located on the new western entrance of the station

To achieve this, we propose the following changes:

  • Relocation of taxis, drop-off and accessible parking to an area within the current car park. This will free up space in front of the station for the new station square, allowing for better onward connections.
  • Refurbishment and extension of the existing station building for a better customer experience through the station.
  • Reconfiguration of the gate line and relocation of the stairs to the existing footbridge over the train tracks. This is to help address passenger congestion on Platform 1 and provide passengers with a better station experience.
Accessible text summary for diagram 2 available below
Diagram 2

Proposed eastern entrance arrangement plan:

  • New station entrances
  • Reorganisation of accessible parking spaces
  • Reorganisation of taxi pick-up and drop-off point
  • Provision of cycle parking
  • New pedestrianised station square

Western entrance to the railway station

The proposals for a new western entrance and railway station building will improve access to platforms and other benefits, including:

  • Reducing vehicle, pedestrian and cyclist interaction
  • Decreasing congestion across Crescent Bridge to help reduce emissions, improving air quality
  • Providing a new suitable junction and infrastructure for the new entrance with drop-off points and a multi-storey car park

The new western entrance will reduce journey times for 30% of users accessing the station from the west.

Accessible text summary for diagram 3 available below
Diagram 3

Proposed western entrance arrangement plan:

  • Construction of a new station west entrance
  • In front of the new station west entrance, just to the right, would be a drop-off location
  • On the right hand side of the drop-off location would be provision of cycle parking and creation of multi-storey car park
  • In front of the multi-storey car park, a new junction would be created onto Thorpe Road, just before you reach Crescent Bridge

This package of works aims to improve all types of connection between the city centre and railway station.

The railway station is approximately 10 minutes walking distance of the city centre. Currently the route is not easy or welcoming for people to navigate with a maze of narrow pavements, dark underpasses and pedestrian bridges.

The proposals will make the route and paths more accessible and attractive by filling in one underpass at Queensgate roundabout to provide a level pedestrian crossing to Cowgate.

A new station square and open public spaces will also help create a better link from the railway station to the city centre. The perception of safety is also a concern with the space currently poorly lit with little natural surveillance.

The upgrades to this route will also improve the connection to the nearby Queensgate bus station for easier onward public transport connections.

Accessible text summary for diagram 4 available below
Diagram 4

Components of the city link proposals:

  • New boulevard to direct pedestrian and cyclists between railway station and city centre
  • Landscaped pedestrian and cycle route between railway station and Cathedral
  • Better connection to bus station
  • Current underpass under the Queensgate roundabout to be removed and replaced with an at grade-controlled crossing and public realm

The environment

The project aims to make Peterborough a greener and more sustainable city with healthy wildlife habitats by:

  • Consolidating a large area of surface car parking to unlock land for future uses
  • Improving biodiversity through planting of trees, vegetation and landscaped green space
  • Special consideration will be given to any new drainage arrangements and connectivity to the nearby waterbodies / watercourses such as the River Nene to avoid any volume, flow or water quality changes which could impact negatively on biodiversity
  • There is potential to implement Sustainable Drainage Systems as part of the drainage design for the scheme

Engagement survey - have your say on the proposals for Peterborough Station Quarter

We invite you to have your say on plans for the first phase of regeneration to transform Peterborough Station Quarter.

Feedback from the survey will go into a report as part of a Full Business Case to Government in early 2025.

Alongside our projects partners - the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, LNER and Network Rail - we are working together on the transformational project to revitalise the area surrounding the railway station to enhance connectivity, accessibility and overall experience for residents, businesses and visitors.

The Government allocated the project £47.8 million to improve the station and surrounding areas.

The public engagement period is open from Tuesday 20 August to Friday 27 September 2024. This provides an opportunity for you to share your views and feedback on the proposed plans.

The engagement process is a crucial step in ensuring that the redevelopment meets the needs and expectations of the people of Peterborough and beyond.

There will be a series of pop-up events where you can talk to people about the project, including:

  • Queensgate Shopping Centre - outside the O2 shop, first floor on Friday 30 August - 1pm to 3pm
  • In the city centre, at the Cathedral Arch next to Starbucks Coffee on Saturday 31 August – 11am to 1pm and Saturday 21 September- 1pm to 3pm

Complete the survey

Complete the Peterborough Station Quarter survey to share with us your views and feedback on the proposals.

The survey closes at 11.59pm on Friday 27 September 2024.

You can request a paper copy of the survey by emailing stationquarter@peterborough.gov.uk.