The Peterborough Evening Telegraph
The father of Peterborough’s parkways leaves ‘great legacy’
A tribute has been paid to Kenneth Hutton who spent 20 years helping to build the city of today with Peterborough Development Corporation
Peterborough owes a great deal of thanks to the man responsible for its parkway system, according to a former colleague and friend.
David Bath was paying tribute to Kenneth Hut ton who passed away aged 85 at Peterborough City Hospital on July 27.
Kenneth was chief engineer at the Peterborough Development Corporation for 16 years following its inception in 1968, then spent four years as its general manager before it was wound up in 1988.
The development corporation was responsible for the creation of the modern Peterborough through building up townships, establishing the major road network and creating the Queensgate Shopping Centre.
Kenneth’ sr esp on si bi li ties included the parkways system which David, director of planning at the development corporation, believes has drawn businesses into the city.
He said: “Kenneth Hutton was there from day one to the last day, the full 20 years. He was a pleasure to work with, and a very skilled engineer.
“What people will most remember of his achievements is the parkways.
“They remain one of the greatest legacies the development corporation left behind and have served the city so well.
Kenneth was also the consultant engineer for Queensgate and established the city’s existing cycling network. David said: “Peterborough had at the time one of the most extensive cycle systems anywhere in the country and was highly regarded.”
Kenneth’s son Adrian said: “He was very proud of what he did and what he achieved.”
The development corpo- ration developed the Ortons, Werrington and Bretton, but despite Kenneth’s best efforts the proposed township of Castor never went ahead due to the Government “pursuing other objectives,” according to David.
He added: “It would have brought in several thousand morehouse sand several thousand more jobs .”
Kenneth was divorced from his first wife Audrey.
His second wife Georgia passed away a week after him. A joint funeral for the couple was held at St Mary’s Church, Orton Waterville on Wednesday at noon.
Kenneth is survived by his only child Adrian, as well as stepchildren Robert, Denise and Marcus.
“What people will most remember of his achievements is the parkways.”