Work starts to create a new-look country park
Cyclists and walkers will soon be able to follow a clear path at the edge of Saltram as plans to create a new countryside park begin to unfold.
Work is starting this week on a new right of way beneath the A38 flyover at Marsh Mills that will better link Plympton to the beautiful and popular route along the Plym River.
At the moment the area beneath the road looks gloomy, scrappy and attracts graffiti. But under the plans the route will create a clear right of way beneath the road structure.
The work is the first of many projects that will lead to the creation of new parkland, which would cover an area the size of 650 football pitches and incorporate the National Trust-owned Saltram estate as well as Hardwick Wood and the former landfill site at Chelson Meadow.
Plymouth City Council, Natural England and the National Trust have been putting together ideas and talking to people about suggestions that would entice them to use the expanded parkland more. Ideas include:
- Creating over 11 miles of new routes to allow people to explore the area and enter the park through new gateways
- Restoring historic features such as ‘Happy Valley’ and Bickham Farm
- Encouraging better links between communities and the countryside such as projects to develop orchards and other local food projects
- Restoring Chelson Meadow to create a haven of natural beauty close to the city
- Improving the area for wildlife to ensure bats, otters and a wide range of other creatures thrive within the park.
- Improve the Ride with picnic areas and a natural play area
Plymouth City Council’s Cabinet Member of the Environment, Councillor Brian Vincent said: “Some of the ideas we have are long term – such as restoring Chelson Meadow, but there are projects that we can get cracking with that will help make the coming into this parkland much more attractive.”
The work will be carried out by Four Seasons Landscapes and will cost £8,000.
It is expected to take a couple of weeks to finish depending on the weather.
