Time to bridge the gap with joined up thinking

Everybody loves a bridge. And everybody wants a bridge. The bridge in question is a new foot/cycle bridge linking the Embankment with the new development at Fletton Quays.

And when I say everybody I mean Peterborough Civic Society, Sustrans, The Peterborough Telegraph and various city councillors.

We all want some joined up thinking and that means joining up the homes, offices and leisure facilities of Fletton Quays with a bridge to the city centre.

There is a problem though. The people who could make this happen are the ruling Conservative group on Peterborough City Council.

Their leader cllr John Holdich has joined the bridge love-in saying he too would like one, but like the parent putting the sweets away he says we can’t have one now, but maybe later.

The problem, ain’t it always, is money. Or to be more accurate, the lack of it and with a price tag of £2.5million it’s a bridge too far, says cllr H.

I’m not going to rant and rave. I’m barely going to harrumph because I know council budgets have been squeezed and we can’t have everything that we want. But I appeal to cllr Holdich to look down the back of the council’s collective sofa and see if somehow he can find the cash.

Over the past decade the people of Peterborough have been force-fed a relentless growth agenda led by the city council.

But growth shouldn’t just mean vast warehouses or unwanted homes in villages.

It should also mean amenities and attractions.

It should, ahem, be a bridge to a brighter future.

£2.5million is a lot of dosh – £25 is if you haven’t got it – but come on John, you can do it. After all, £2.1 million was found to revamp Lower Bridge Street.

Where there’s a will, there’s a way... across the Nene.