Budget blues

Last week Peterborough’s Tory politicians were patting themselves on the back because a change in Government rules meant they avoided ‘catastrophic cuts’ to city services.

In fairness, it seems accepted the city council runs a tight financial ship and that the problems stem from the perfect storm of the pandemic and gross and historic underfunding from central government to the tune of up to £13m a year.

Well we’ve had a Tory government since 2010 and a Tory council since the turn

of the century so wouldn’t you have thought they might have sorted ‘fair’ funding out before now?

The phrase with ‘friends like that’ comes to mind.

I read the recent letter from Graham Walker about the proposed climbing tower in Ferry Meadows with great interest, particularly as I know he was a highly respected member of the design team at the development corporation and his views count.

Although I am not aware of the detailed costs/benefits of this proposal, I must agree with the points raised by Graham and conclude that anything on this scale is just not right for our much loved and coveted parkland .

I wonder how many others realise the physical impact that such a scheme would have should it ever be allowed to go ahead .

Thanks Graham for helping to raise these concerns. “Howard Fuller Fulbridge Road

Werrington

An overwhelming number of residents in Central ward have expressed grave concerns regarding the potential non reopening of Saint Peter’s Arcade.

At full council, a majority of councillors backed Cllr Ed Murphy’s motion calling on the council to reopen this vital passage to Bridge Street from the disabled car parking in St Peter’s Street.

This thoroughfare, established with the building of the current Town Hall in 1933 is a well-loved and much used route into town, particularly for the disabled. The disabled toilets are also situated within the arcade.

Cllr Cereste suggests that it is safer to go around the end of Bridge St. Anyone who has used that route will know that it is narrower than the arcade and requires a passing place in the current building works to enable safe access.

Councillor Murphy and myself, as the ward councillor, are aware that many users, able bodied and disabled, are concerned that Saint Peters

Arcade has been closed since the start of the pandemic and unlikely to re-open. It is my opinion that the area should be made Covid-safe and reopened as soon as possible.

To ensure that this public right-of-way is maintained in perpetuity, I have applied for it to be designated as a public right-of-way. We need action from the council to designate St Peter’s Arcade a public right-of-way and restore this historic and useful thoroughfare to former glories for the benefit of everyone visiting our fine city.

Councillor Amjad Iqbal

Central Ward Shadow Cabinet Member

for Communities Peterborough City Council