City footbridge plan secures a further £2m

A city council has succeeded in securing a further £2m towards a footbridge project, to allow construction to begin later this year.

The additional funding brings the cost of the Cygnet Bridge in Peterborough, which will cross the River Nene and link Fletton Quays to the Embankment, to £8.3m.

It was approved by the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority (CPCA), after the city council said the build would include complex design modifications and "significantly higher" costs of sewer diversions than initially projected.

Dr Nik Johnson, combined authority mayor, said he was "proud and supportive" of the project, which could be completed by summer 2026.

The project has drawn criticism from Peterborough residents, with some questioning the need for the bridge and its value for money, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The council's transport and infrastructure committee discussed the latest progress on the bridge at a meeting in Huntingdon.

Councillor Angus Ellis, cabinet member for environment and transport at Peterborough City Council, said: "It's key for active travel in the area for cyclists and pedestrians, otherwise they are walking on a very dangerous, small-ish pavement on a busy road."

Councillor Sam Wakeford, vice chair of the transport and infrastructure committee, said: "This isn't a controversial use of money, it looks great value and what construction projects aren't increasing in cost from previous projections?

"Obviously it's critical we manage funding as efficiently as we can but I think this is quite uncontroversial and will deliver significant benefits, so I'm pleased to support it."

Peterborough City Council said it hoped the bridge would assist in creating a "walkable, liveable city" and reduce pressure on city centre traffic routes.

The government's Towns Fund pledged £2m towards the bridge, while the CPCA will now contribute £5.4m - and the remainder will be paid for by Peterborough City Council's redevelopment budget.

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