Overlooked city named top place in UK for young people to get new £65million station quarter revamp
AN English city that is often forgotten about as a city break has revealed its multi-million plans to revamp its station district.
Peterborough’s Station Quarter is set to be transformed with the £65million makeover.
Also funded with £48million Levelling Up Fund, the main upgrade will include a new entrance to the train station as well as a bigger footbridge.
A prettier public space around the station will also be part of the improvements with gardens and seating areas.
The project says: “Green areas with biodiversity, community spaces and better connections to the city centre will make it safer and more attractive for bikes and pedestrian.”
It also hopes to encourage “more rail travel” both to and via Peterborough.
Paul Bristow, MP for Peterborough, said the improvements were vital as the city was the “gateway to the East of England“.
This was backed by mayor of the Combined Authority Dr Nik Johnson, who said it was an important part of the city’s redevelopment.
Construction hopes to start by this year, although this may be delayed to 2026.
Further development of the area will take place until 2028.
Peterborough is often overlooked as a place to visit for a staycation, despite having a number of amazing attractions.
There is the gothic Peterborough Cathedral, dating back more than 900 years and is home to the grave of both Catherine of Aragon and Mary, Queen of Scots.
There is also Nene Park, one of the largest parks in the area which has a huge lake for boat trips, kayaking and paddleboarding.
Along with three playgrounds for kids, there are cycle trails, climbing walls and even the Ferry Meadows railway line that runs through it.
One of the oldest lidos in the UK is in the city too, with Peterborough Lido first opening in 1936.
It has even been named as one of the best places for young people to live, according to Compare my Move, due to affordable house prices and high employment rates.
It has great train routes too – direct services to London Kings Cross take around 1hr17, with trains to Norwich and Lincoln also less than two hours.
And it’s not just Peterborough that is having a huge train station revamp.
Salford, named an up-and-coming city near Manchester, is upgrading its train station.
The £21million project will include a new platform at the station, which opened in 1987 and has since reached its capacity.
Leicester’s £17million train station redevelopment will improve the Grade II listed building.
And in London, Liverpool Street Station has revealed its £1.5billion upgrade plans.
Having previously wanted a rooftop pool and garden, this has been scaled back in favour of more useful upgrades like more train gates and escalators.