Fact File Peterborough

Introduction to Peterborough

The Unitary Authority of Peterborough is located in the west of the Region, and is 78 miles from London, via the A1. It has excellent road and rail connections both north-south and east-west, and one of the best urban road systems in the country. The historic town of Peterborough grew significantly after being granted New Town status in the 1960s and Peterborough is now a thriving city and a regional centre for commerce, industry, transport and leisure. It is rapidly expanding to meet the demand for new houses, and is home to a community of diverse cultures.

Peterborough City Council’s performance has improved steadily, resulting in an improved CPA rating to Good. Partnership working between key bodies (the Council, the Greater Peterborough Partnership (the LSP) and Opportunity Peterborough (the local delivery vehicle for growth) is also improving. The Local Area Agreement has had a significant role in this. The city has embraced the growth agenda and is seeking to deliver sustainable growth, tackling deprivation issues and also achieving its aspirations to be an environment capital nationally.

Key Facts

Education Key Facts

• Nearly £46m allocated for school renovation projects between 1998/99 and 2004/05 with a further £8m during 2005/06. Projects include £2.3m for a replacement primary school at Newborough, £500,000 for a new school hall/kitchen and administration areas for Castor Primary School and £340,000 for access improvements to many schools including new disabled toilets ramps.

Health and Well Being Key Facts

• Residents were also likely to suffer from poor health, as indicated by high death rates for cancer and circulatory disease.  There are also higher than average suicide and teenage pregnancy rates.
• A £300m PFI project to build three new health facilities for local trusts is being managed by the Peterborough and Stamford Hospitals NHS Trust. This will include a £135m scheme centralising acute services from Peterborough District Hospital to the Edith Cavell Hospital, creating a new ‘super hospital’ as well as expanding the services available. There will also be a new mental health unit and integrated care centre.
• South Peterborough PCT is developing an "Acute Hub" including a high-tech diagnostic and treatment centre. The scheme will increase bed numbers by 244 and is due to open in 2007.

Crime Key Facts

• Over £830,000 was allocated to the Drug Interventions Programme (DIP) which aims to get the most prolific drug-misusing offenders out of crime and in to treatment. Peterborough is widely recognised as having one of the most effective, intensive programmes in the country and whose work will have a significant impact on drug related crime.
• The Basic Command Unit Fund (BCU) covering Peterborough received an allocation of over £234,000 in 2006/07. Projects supported include Police Community Support Officers and a Youth Inclusion Project to undertake outreach work in central ward in Peterborough
• £15,000 has been allocated in 2006/07 to support the post of a Domestic Violence Co-ordinator.
• £150,000 awarded to the Drug Intervention Programme (DIP) to enhance the work being done with the most prolific offenders.

Transport Key Facts

• Under the Local Transport Plan Fund allocated to Peterborough, almost £1.87m for integrated transport and more than £2.2m for maintenance for 2006/07.
• The A1703 Spalding to Eye Improvement Scheme is being developed to replace the existing route and is being jointly developed between Lincolnshire County Council and Peterborough City Council. The project will cost just under £45m and is expected to be completed in late 2006.
• £1.34m was awarded for maintenance work on the A15 Town Bridge in 2005/06. The project is due to be completed in summer 2006.

Regeneration Key Facts

• Under the Local Transport Plan Fund allocated to Peterborough, almost £1.87m for integrated transport and more than £2.2m for maintenance for 2006/07.
• The A1703 Spalding to Eye Improvement Scheme is being developed to replace the existing route and is being jointly developed between Lincolnshire County Council and Peterborough City Council. The project will cost just under £45m and is expected to be completed in late 2006.
• £1.34m was awarded for maintenance work on the A15 Town Bridge in 2005/06. The project is due to be completed in summer 2006.