The population of Peterborough at this time was around 3,000 remaining at this level until the end of the18th.century.At the census of 1851 it had risen to 8,763 inhabitants and by the end of of the century it had increased to over 31,000.This was mainly due to Peterborough becoming an important rail center. In 1967 Peterborough was designated a new town by the National Government. The Peterborough Development Council was appointed in 1968 the population increasing from 68,000 to over 160,000. The Peterborough of today is a modern city with many links with it's historic past.To the East is the World renown Bronze Age(c700BC) excavation of Flag Fen and to the West is the site of the Roman town of Durobrivae. Also to the West is the Nene Park complex,featuring sailing facilities,golf, nature reserves and much more.Alongside of which runs the Nene Valley preserved steam railway. Now completed is Peterborough's contribution to the new Millennium,the Green Wheel project. This is a brand new network of footpaths,bridleways and cycleways encircling the city with a safe continuous route which links tourist attractions ,and nature reserves with the surrounding area.