Kings Dyke Crossing to move to construction phase

Kings Dyke Crossing to move to construction phase

Funding for the new Kings Dyke level crossing project has today (October 31) been approved by the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority and the project can now progress to the construction phase.

The authority has agreed to provide funding contribution of up to £16.4m over the original £13.6m allocation to enable the scheme to progress to construction.

The Combined Authority and Cambridgeshire County Council will work together to deliver this project to remove the delays at the level crossing, helping to promote growth in the local area now and in the future.

Mayor James Palmer, said: “The Kings Dyke crossing project is of great importance to the county, particularly those living in the north of Cambridgeshire along the Peterborough to Whittlesey corridor.

“This project has been on the radar for many years and I appreciate why many residents along the corridor have become disillusioned with the time it has taken to bring it forward.

“Kings Dyke is a key bottleneck that has prevented the area from achieving its full economic potential and has also been a source of great frustration to those routinely stuck in traffic along the route.

“Cambridgeshire County Council’s involvement with the project pre-dates the formation of the Combined Authority and they have been responsible for developing proposals over a number of years.

“I understand that there have been some complexities with the project which have led to the cost being greater than many anticipated, however, as the new transport authority, it falls to the Combined Authority to ensure the project is now delivered and in a timely manner.

“The business case for investing in the Kings Dyke Crossing project is strong and it must be supported.

“The £74 million transforming cities fund that was provided by the Government last year will play a role in providing the finance necessary to ensure the Kings Dyke crossing project moves forward. This investment is a good use of the funds that were provided by Government.”

 Cllr Steve Count, Leader of Cambridgeshire County Council said: “This is a really important scheme with huge benefits.

“Cambridgeshire County Council has worked closely with the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority since they became the Transport Authority, and we are very pleased that they have agreed to provide the extra funding required for the Kings Dyke level crossing scheme.

“It’s great news that we can now commence the construction phase with the support of Mayor James Palmer and the Combined Authority. I know all parties are looking forward to seeing the project being built and having the new road open.”

 As a result of this intervention by the Combined Authority construction will begin early next year and the expectation is that the project will be fully delivered by the end of 2020.