Help finalise transport improvement plans for Derriford

Detailed plans for improving traffic flow in the Derriford area will be on public display next week.

The Derriford Transport Scheme, which will see improvements on the A386 Tavistock Road, aims to reduce congestion and create more road capacity for the extra traffic that will be generated by proposed developments in the area. It will also include better facilities for public transport, walking and cycling.

A preferred option was chosen in December 2014 following consultation with residents and businesses and we are now inviting people to view and comment on more detailed designs before the scheme is finalised.

Derriford Roundabout and the William Prance Road junction will be upgraded with additional traffic lanes, new bus lanes and improved traffic signal operation, as well as new, marked cycle lanes and new pedestrian crossings. Walking and cycling improvements will also extend towards The George Park and Ride.

People will be able to view and discuss the latest plans at two public exhibitions being held at our Windsor House building on Tavistock Road:

Thursday 8 October (3pm to 7pm)
Saturday 10 October (10am to 2pm)

The next step will be to develop a final business case for approval by the Heart-of-the-South-West Local Enterprise Partnership (HotSW LEP), which is contributing £10.16 million towards the £12.72 million scheme. Construction is expected to get under way in Spring 2016 and take around 12 months.

The Derriford Transport Scheme is part of a ‘master plan’ of highway improvements that will help unlock development and deliver 9,000 new jobs and 3,000 new homes in the north of the city.

The first of these essential infrastructure improvements is the newly opened Marjon Link Road and funding has already been earmarked for future phases including the proposed Forder Valley Link Road.

Councillor Mark Coker, Cabinet Member for Strategic Transport and Planning, said: “The A386 is the main route to and from the north of the city – including Derriford Hospital, the University of St Mark and St John and the Plymouth Science Park. It is often congested, especially at peak times and future growth in the area will put even more pressure on this busy part of our transport network. The Derriford Transport Scheme, together with our other planned infrastructure improvements, will help to keep traffic moving, improve bus journey times and reliability and provide better walking and cycling facilities along this key route.”