Peterborough: Major Roadworks On Fletton Parkway

A major project to widen the Fletton Parkway will get underway this week.

The scheme will see the A1139 Fletton parkway widened from two to three lanes in each direction between junction 1 and junction 2 (Goldhay Way/Malborne Way roundabout).

Also included is essential maintenance on the eastbound carriageway and sections of the westbound carriageway between junctions 1 and 2; and the alteration of the existing merge between the eastbound parkway traffic and the A1(M) northbound slip road traffic, to improve traffic flow and safety. 

Motorists will notice safety barriers appearing on the parkway this week between junctions 1 and 2 and there will be a 50mph speed limit introduced as well as average speed cameras. A number of overnight road closures will be needed to allow the installation of the safety barriers. These closures will be advertised in advance on signage beside the road.

Lighting columns will also be replaced as part of the works and therefore temporary lighting columns will also be installed during the scheme.

Two lanes in each direction will be maintained for the majority of the widening works to reduce disruption for motorists.

Councillor Marco Cereste, Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Growth, Strategic Planning, Housing, Economic Development and Business Engagement, said: "Fletton parkway is the main route into our city from the south and is therefore a key part of Peterborough's road network.

"Coupled with the city's plans to grow in the coming years, it is imperative that we increase the capacity of the parkway so that it can accommodate future growth.

"Peterborough is now the fastest growing city in the UK and boasts the second highest growth in private sector employment. If we are to continue growing at this pace and attracting new businesses, for example to the Gateway Peterborough site which opened today, we have got to make sure that our roads can cope with an increase in traffic."

Simon Machen, Director of Growth and Regeneration for Peterborough City Council, said: "This area of the Fletton parkway is heavily congested during peak periods. If left unaddressed this congestion could severely limit the planned growth in housing and employment. Furthermore, the section of the parkway between junctions 1 and 2 requires significant annual expenditure to keep it in a safe condition to support existing levels of traffic.

"We appreciate that there will be an inconvenience to motorists during the works, however we will do everything we can to complete them as quickly as possible and to keep congestion to a minimum during peak times."

The city council set aside £12.9 million in its 2013/14 budget for the parkway improvement works. The council has also been successful in attracting funding from the Department for Transport and the Greater Cambridge Greater Peterborough Local Enterprise Partnership in order to deliver the project.. Section 106 developer contributions are also being used.

A contract for the construction of the parkway widening scheme was recently awarded to Birse Civils Ltd with a target cost of £11,994,311 and an anticipated completion date by Spring 2015.