House of Commons · Westminster Hall
06 September 2022 · 0 other contributors · 3,122 words
Opened by Paul Bristow Con Peterborough
Responding minister: Wendy Morton
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
Paul Bristow raised concerns about peterborough station quarter: redevelopment in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key points
Key requests to Government
Bristow asks the Government to provide £48 million from the levelling-up fund to transform the station quarter. He believes this investment will enable Peterborough to attract more high-level employers through improved transport links and create economic benefits for the city, region, and country.
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.
Opened the debate
Paul Bristow is concerned about the need for renewal and modernisation of Peterborough station. He notes that the city has grown by over 17% between 2011 and 2021, with significant challenges and untapped potential in terms of unemployment and skills development. The current station layout and facilities are inadequate to handle forecasted passenger growth, including limited capacity at peak hours and non-compliance with the Equality Act 2010 for accessibility.
Government Response
Wendy MortonI thank my hon. Friend the Member for Peterborough for raising this important matter and setting out the proposed project clearly, celebrating his work in campaigning for Peterborough's development. The Government's mission is to level up the UK by spreading opportunity more equally across the country through initiatives like the levelling-up fund, which has already seen £1.7 billion awarded to 105 successful projects in round one of the £4.8 billion programme. Peterborough received a significant £20 million investment from this fund for the new Anglia Ruskin University campus project, expected to boost the economy and create over 500 jobs while also benefiting local communities through educational facilities, cultural events, and green spaces. The minister highlighted additional investments such as £600 million annually for the next 30 years towards economic growth in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough via the CPCA devolution deal. She noted that round two of the levelling-up fund is being evaluated with successful bids to be announced later in the year, emphasizing that local investment has the power to change lives positively.