Ground investigations for Forder Valley Link Road

Specialist contractors have started ground investigations for the new Forder Valley Link Road.

Trial pits and boreholes are being dug along the proposed route of the new link road and at the Forder Valley Road/Novorossiysk Road junction to confirm the ground conditions and help guide the next stage of design.

The surveys began on Monday 6 June and each one should be completed, with the ground reinstated, within one working day. They will continue for another two weeks but disruption will be minimal as all but one of the survey locations are off-road.

There will be one survey on Forder Valley Road (west of the Novorossiysk Road junction) but this will be carried out overnight, between 8pm and 4am, to avoid the busiest times.

Councillor Patrick Nicholson, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Strategic Transport, Housing and Planning, said: “These ground investigations mark another important step towards the new Forder Valley Link Road, with work expected to begin in the next financial year.

“The new road will connect Forder Valley and Brest Road, creating an additional route between Derriford and the A38 and providing vital extra capacity on the road network.

“It will be key to unlocking growth in Derriford, providing better access from the east, reducing pressure on Manadon roundabout and complementing other transport improvements in the area.”

A £22.5m funding contribution has already been earmarked by the Department for Transport (DfT) and the scheme is fully supported by the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership and Highways England. A business case expected to be submitted to the DfT next year.