The Peterborough Evening Telegraph
Work starts at last on £32m rail crossing
Work has officially started on the long-awaited £32m rail crossing at King’s Dyke in Whittlesey.
Construction officially got underway at the King’s Dyke project on Monday.
The first spade in the ground was celebrated five months early, as work has now begun on scheme on the A605 between Whittlesey and Peterborough, which was originally due to start by the end of the year.
Work will include building a new road and bridge over the Ely to Peterborough railway line and is planned to open to traffic by December 2022. The level crossing will be permanently closed as part of the work.
Cambridgeshire County Council leader Cllr Steve Count said: “I am thrilled that we are starting work on this vitally important project for the area.”
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority Mayor James Palmer, said: “It’s great news. Removing
delays at the King’s Dyke crossing will unlock opportunity for the north of the county and bring investment, jobs, and homes. This route is vitally important to Peterborough, but it suffers terrible delays, especially when North Bank is flooded. Separating the road and rail crossing will massively improve train travel between Peterborough and Ely.”
Cllr Chris Boden, local member for Whittlesey North and leader of Fenland District Council, said: “I am delighted the day has finally arrived. We have been campaigning for this scheme for almost 50 years and local residents and businesses will soon be able to reap the benefits of this much needed project.”
Having dug the ceremonial spades into the ground, Cllr Count said: “This is a brilliant day for the local people who have been waiting for this for years.’’
There is a two week closure on the A605 being put in place by Lindum Homes, for their local housing development, on 30 July and contractorJones Bros will take the opportunity to carry out underground utility work at the same time to minimise disruption.