Cycle path extends just a little bit…

Continuing on from recent post…

Work on the next section of a walking and cycling link connecting Laira Rail Bridge and Plymstock will get under way on Monday 15 January.

The popular route will be extended further east along the railway alignment into Broxton Drive, at the entrance to the Saltram Meadow estate.

Part of the new path will run via Rock Gardens to avoid disturbing an area of environmentally sensitive habitat and a small section will be built on raised decking to protect the rare ‘Horrid Ground Weaver’ spider, found during extensive ecological surveys.

Rock Gardens itself has also recently benefited from resurfacing and street lighting under separate plans.

The walking and cycling link is being fully funded through the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership’s Local Transport Board and Section 106 contributions and is expected to open in March.

Councillor Patrick Nicholson, Cabinet Member for Strategic Transport, Housing and Planning said: “This new link will mean that pedestrians, cyclists, joggers and those using mobility scooters and wheelchairs will be able to enjoy a virtually level, traffic-free journey from the Saltram Meadow development to Laira Rail Bridge and beyond. It will connect with the improvements being made between Laira Rail Bridge and the Barbican, which will also be completed in the spring.”

The plans were approved in December and can be viewed on our planning pages – the reference is 17/01978/FUL.

Future plans will see the route continue further east and connect into a proposed pedestrian and cycle bridge crossing over Billacombe Road, expected to be built this year.

Its nice to see this old line slowly being made useful again, even if it is taking ages. Better slow than never I guess!

Barbican to Laira Bridge improvements

 

Work to improve walking and cycling links between the Barbican and Laira Rail Bridge will get under way on Monday 8 January.

The route, which forms part of the South West Coast Path and National Cycle Network route 27, will benefit from improved road crossings, new and improved footways and off-road cycle paths, on-road cycle lanes, cycle parking, better signage and new lighting.

Benches will be provided on Breakwater Hill so that people can stop to enjoy the spectacular views and vegetation will be cut back.

Construction will start around Clovelly Road and Teats Hill Road, with temporary traffic lights in operation until mid-February.

Improvements to the off-road walking and cycling route on Finnigan Road will follow, lasting for around six weeks (during which time sections of the footway and cycleway will be closed).

The southern end of Faraday Road will need to be closed for one night – yellow signs will be put out in advance to let people know when this is due to take place. Work is expected to finish by April.

Councillor Patrick Nicholson, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Strategic Transport, Housing and Planning, said: “These proposals were very well received during consultation and l look forward to seeing the improvements delivered in plenty of time for the summer. They will make it easier and safer for people to walk and cycle between our beautiful waterfront and the east of the city.”

Repairs to the Sutton Harbour footbridge are currently being scoped out but it is hoped these works will be completed in the summer.

The Barbican to Laira Rail Bridge improvements will be fully funded through the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership’s Local Transport Board and Section 106 developer contributions.

Further enhancements are planned between Cattedown Road and Finnigan Road, with consultation expected to take place in Summer 2018.

The scheme includes:

• Improved road crossings, new and improved footways and off-road cycle paths, on road cycle lanes, cycle parking, better signage and new lighting.
• Improvements will be made on a number of roads including Teats Hill Road, Clovelly Road, Finnigan Road and Faraday Road, as well as Breakwater Hill, where benches will be installed so that people can stop and rest while enjoying spectacular views over Plymouth Sound.  Bollards will also be installed on Breakwater Hill to ensure that no unauthorised vehicles can be driven onto the path but allow access for people using mobility scooters.
• A minor extension of the 20mph speed limit to include an additional length of Teats Hill Road, as well as Commercial Ope.

he expected construction programme is as follows:

•           Commercial Road/Teats Hill Road junction – traffic lights from 8 January to mid February and footway closure.

•           Finnigan Road – footpath closure from mid February to end of March.

•           Faraday Road junction – night closure 22 March.

•           National Marine Aquarium – only pedestrian barriers around working areas. Access for public maintained at all times. Mid to end of March.

•           Breakwater Hill (and other areas) – reduced width footpaths for street lighting works.  Dates to be confirmed; works will be completed before the end of March.

Updates to construction dates will be published on this webpage.  Our contractor, South West Highways will liaise with residents to minimise disruption.

In order to undertake these works safely, three-way traffic lights will be in operation, and lanes will be narrowed.  Please note that delays are possible whilst these works are in progress.

Part of the scheme is to undertake resurfacing works at the junction of Victoria Wharf and also the entrance to Mitchell and Webber on Clovelly Road.  We anticipate that this work will be undertaken at night to ease any disruption to the businesses in both locations whilst keeping noise to a minimum. In addition, the parking area outside Marine House will also be affected whilst some of the works are in progress. We will notify residents and businesses that will be affected as soon as dates and times of these works are confirmed.

We will endeavour to maintain access to your property or business at all times and keep any inconvenience to a minimum, although some interruption and reduced access may be unavoidable and for this we apologise in advance.  Please speak with our operatives, if you have concerns about access.

In partnership with Sutton Harbour Holdings and the Environment Agency, work to repair the lock bridge will continue in the hope that it can be reopened in the summer.

 

More detailed drawings on each section can be found here on the Plymouth City Council web site

The route of the path is shown in red

I am not a cyclist but love this section as a good walk. It would be nice if they could add a few pointers along the way to illustrate just how this industrial area of Plymouth has changed so much over the years.

See also previous posts on Plymothian Transit:

• Last train from Cattedown
• Cattedown gets a little less interesting
• Cattedown Tidied
• Cattewater Branch Line

Cycle Network

Families will soon be able to enjoy some of the best views in the city from their saddles, thanks to improvements being made along Plymouth’s spectacular waterfront cycle route.

Work on the route, which is part of National Cycle Network Route 27 and connects the Barbican, the Hoe, Millbay and Royal William Yard, will begin on Monday 15 September.

A new contraflow cycle lane will run eastwards along Madeira Road, from the mini roundabout junction with Hoe Road and past the Citadel to the Elphinstone car park. A 20mph speed limit will also be introduced.

On Monday 27 October work will also begin to improve Millbay Roundabout so that cyclists and pedestrians can cross Millbay Road and travel through the roundabout more easily and safely. The work includes narrowing the space around the roundabout to slow down traffic, as well as creating a cycle route that avoids the roundabout altogether.

Both schemes – designed and being built by the Council’s highways contractor Amey – will make it easier and safer to explore the city’s magnificent waterfront and its historic features by bike, which will in turn provide an economic boost to waterfront businesses.

The improvements are being funded through the Coastal Communities Fund, along with the new bike hire hubs at the Royal William Yard and Commercial Wharf, which Rockets and Rascals have been running since Easter.

Councillor Mark Coker, Cabinet Member for Transport said: “Our waterfront is one of the most incredible features of Britain’s Ocean City and we are really keen to see it become easier for cyclists of all ages and abilities to enjoy the expansive views.

“This isn’t just about providing a cracking day out for tourists; it’s also about encouraging people here in Plymouth to get on their bikes, explore their surroundings and stay healthy and active. The recent Sky Ride brought hundreds of people out onto the waterfront.”

Sarah O’Leary, Waterfront Manager for the Plymouth Waterfront Partnership added: “The waterfront is one of our greatest assets and activities that encourage more people to visit are warmly welcomed. Building on existing ferry services and pedestrian and bus routes, better and safer facilities for cyclists are important and the link between the Royal William Yard and The Barbican is critical in directly benefitting businesses right across the area.”

Work on Madeira Road is expected to last six weeks and work on Millbay Roundabout will take around two weeks. There will be no daytime road closures.

circa 1920. From Richard & Gill Long Collection

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