Work on a major infrastructure initiative in Peterborough is progressing on schedule, with the project's main construction phase under way.
Initial work on Cygnet Bridge, the new £8.3million cycle and pedestrian bridge over the River Nene, started last month with main construction currently taking place and the project expected to take around 12 months to complete.
Once constructed, Cygnet Bridge will provide a more direct, pedestrian and cyclist friendly route between the residential developments, businesses and football stadium on the south of the river to the city centre and North Embankment, home to the Key Theatre, ARU Peterborough’s University Campus and the proposed site of the new leisure development.
The project is jointly funded by the Combined Authority, The Towns Fund and Peterborough City Council, with the bridge being constructed by M Group, the council's highways partner. M Group has successfully delivered several major projects for the authority, most recently the public realm improvements on Lincoln Road.
Work to install piling platforms for the bridge on both sides of the river is currently being carried out. Main piling works, which will see columns drilled deep into the ground creating stable foundations for the bridge, will take place over the coming weeks.
Councillor Angus Ellis, Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport, said: “I am absolutely delighted that work on this exciting project is progressing well and look forward to seeing it further develop. The bridge will play a key role in creating a more connected and walkable city, improving access across the Embankment and opening up potential development opportunities in future.
“The main piling works will be carried out over the next few weeks and then we will start to see cranes on the skyline. I would like to remind people that footway closures on the Embankment will be in place throughout the works and major events such as the Peterborough Beer Festival and Great Eastern Run will still go ahead as planned."
Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Paul Bristow said: “Better connecting the south of the river to the Embankment and city centre is an important step for the future of Peterborough. Cygnet Bridge puts infrastructure in place ahead of the further regeneration and development this city needs and deserves.”
The Bridge is one of eight projects across Peterborough, being delivered as part of the government’s Towns Fund programme, which supports economic growth and regeneration in towns across the country.
The total project budget is estimated to be £8.3 million. The Combined Authority has contributed £5.4 million, The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has pledged £2 million, and the remainder will come from the council's own redevelopment budget.
To find out more about Cygnet Bridge, visit the councils website: River Nene Pedestrian Bridge (Cygnet Bridge) | Peterborough City Council