Hampton Vale, a relatively new suburb in Peterborough's south-west corner, has earned a reputation as the ultimate swing ward. In the last three local elections, voters have elected candidates from three different parties: Conservative in 2022, Liberal Democrat in 2023, and Peterborough First independent in 2024. As the next city council elections approach on 7 May, residents share the issues that matter most to them.
Tina Defalco, a chef at Mattoni, wants a cleaner city. "They really need to get somebody in the morning to jet wash that city centre because it's absolutely filthy," she says. Fly-tipping and potholes are top concerns, and she feels the state of Peterborough is driving visitors away.
Safety and cleanliness also top the list for Maria Djmanca, waiting at a bus stop. "Too much rubbish in the streets," she says, adding that safety is her primary concern.
The ward, built on the site of the old Orton brickworks over the past two decades, appears peaceful with its lakes and greenery. But beneath the surface, anti-social behaviour is a recurring worry. Lise Gothard, 54, fresh from a Pilates class, says there is "a lot of talk" online about bin fires, car thefts, and garage break-ins. Having lived in the area for 28 years, she feels crime is worsening. "As a community you just want to feel safe," she says.
Phil Yau, 54, one of the first residents to move to Hampton Vale in 2003, describes the suburb as welcoming but acknowledges that anti-social behaviour, including scooters using footpaths as "personal rally tracks" and a recent spate of bin fires, is a daily concern. "It needs to be nipped in the bud," he says, suggesting voters look at candidates' past delivery rather than just promises.
Parking is another hot-button issue. Bonnie Yau, Phil's wife, would cut city centre parking costs to draw people into town. Valerie Godfrey, 74, says the roads are often clogged and dangerous for people with disabilities, parents with buggies, and wheelchair users. She also calls for more community spaces.
Muhammad Usman, 39, a barber, says foreign affairs influence his vote. He plans to support an "anti-war party" and questions spending on war when it could be used for domestic needs.
With the council currently run by a Labour-led coalition after decades of Conservative control, the outcome in Hampton Vale could signal broader political shifts—but for residents, it's local issues that drive their decisions.