Funding plan to support River Cam and Peterborough Cathedral heritage assets up for decision

Funding plan to support River Cam and Peterborough Cathedral heritage assets up for decision

Proposals kick-started by Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Paul Bristow to support the future of two important heritage and tourism assets will be considered by the Combined Authority’s Funding Committee on September 1. 

The Committee will be recommended to approve £800,000 of UK Shared Prosperity Fund investment for lighting improvements at Peterborough Cathedral and for safeguarding the River Cam’s at-risk Bates Bite Lock.  

The proposals are: 

• River Cam, Bates Bite Lock – £500,000:  A recent structural survey found the lock is at risk of catastrophic failure. Without action, the collapse of the lock would threaten river safety, water level and flood management, and access for hundreds of daily users, from punts to boaters. Funding for the Cam Conservators, who maintain this stretch of river, would support work to stabilise the structure, safeguarding a central tourism and heritage asset for a few years while long term options for the lock, as well as the Jesus Lock which is also at risk, are found. 

• Peterborough Cathedral – £299,432: The iconic Cathedral’s outdated and failing lighting system would be replaced with a modern, energy-efficient solution. This would not only improve safety and accessibility but also enable the Cathedral to host a wider range of cultural events, boosting numbers to one of the region’s most visited buildings and supporting the local economy. 

Paul Bristow is also aiming to bring together Cam Conservators with other stakeholders to find a way to safeguard the locks’ future.  

Paul Bristow said: “When we spend public money on our heritage and tourism assets, it should be with big impact in mind. That’s what these proposals, to be considered next month, are about. 

“The River Cam is at the heart of Cambridge life. If these locks fail, it threatens everyone who uses and enjoys the river, as well as harming the city as a place to visit. We can’t allow that to happen. And in Peterborough, giving the Cathedral the upgrades it needs will secure its future as a cultural and tourist hub, bringing more people into the city and supporting the local economy. 

“This is about doing fewer things well and making sure the things we do really count. I look forward to discussing these proposals with the Funding Committee.” 

MP for Cambridge, Daniel Zeichner, said: “I am delighted that the Mayor is supportive of making available government funding to help resolve this long-standing problem. We now need all interested parties to work constructively together to ensure a long-term solution is found.” 

The Funding Committee meets on September 1 

The proposals would revise the Combined Authority’s visitor economy programme. Rather than pursuing a fully branded Local Visitor Economy Partnership, resources would be switched to focus on a portfolio of high-impact projects, including the Cam Lock and Cathedral proposals. If approved, the change will reallocate £799,432 in capital funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.