Plans to improve traffic flow along Plymouth Road

People are being invited to comment on plans to improve the traffic flow along Plymouth Road in Plympton.

Upgrades to the traffic signals along this key commuter route are in the pipeline, thanks to £2.1 million funding from the Department of Transport.

The Council plans to use the opportunity to introduce measures that will improve the journey in to Plymouth by car as well as by bus, by bike and on foot.

The initial phase at Cot Hill junction will create more road space for traffic turning right into Cot Hill from Plymouth Road. This will help ease the overspill that often blocks traffic heading east towards Plympton and make better use of the two straight ahead lanes.

Other junctions along Plymouth Road including Woodford Avenue and Larkham Lane will be reviewed and ageing traffic signals upgraded to modern, more efficient traffic signals. The scheme also aims to improve journey times for motorists and service reliability for buses using Plymouth Road helping to discourage rat-running through Woodford.

Councillor Patrick Nicholson, Cabinet Member for Strategic Transport and Planning said: “This is a key road for people who are travelling into the city from the east and it is crucial to keep traffic flowing and support greener travel as Plymouth continues to grow.

“These improvements will reduce queueing, particularly during the morning and evening rush hours and make it safer and easier for people to walk and cycle along this busy road.”

Another aspect of the improvement package is a change to the junction of Cot Hill and Merafield Road to reduce queuing on the steep Cot Hill with proposals including a mini-roundabout and a change to the priorities.

The Council wants to hear from people who use Plymouth Road as well as those who live off it about their thoughts on the plans and for when would be the best time for work to be instigated.

Councillor Nicholson added: “No one wants roadworks, but some are necessary to improve journeys for all of us in the long term.

“We are conscious that there has been lots of work on our key routes into Plymouth and have been working really hard on measures to minimise disruption. Some of these schemes must be completed within a specific time frame, due to funding constraints, but there can be some wriggle room. As part of this consultation we want local people to tell us when they feel it would be better to do the work.”

People will be able to comment on the proposals so far and to suggest ideas at three events:

• Saturday 20 May Harewood House, Ridgeway from 9am to 12.30pm
• Monday 22 May St Peter’s Lutheran Church Hall, Larkham Lane, Plympton, 4pm to 8pm
• Wednesday 24 May St Peter’s Lutheran Church Hall, Larkham Lane, Plympton, 10am to 2pm

The next step will be to develop feasibility options for the junctions, with the feedback provided through the consultation helping in this process. Construction could begin later this year or early next year and carried out in stages to minimise disruption.

The scheme is part of the wider plan of major road improvements to reduce delays to all users across the city and help keep the city on the move as it grows and expands.

Plymouth is planning for significant numbers of new jobs and up to 7,000 new homes in the east of the city. Other transport schemes along Plymouth’s Eastern Corridor Growth Area include the planned Forder Valley Link Road and a new Park & Ride off the A38 at Deep Lane.

Details will also be available to view at www.plymouth.gov.uk/ecjip