Work to start on cycling improvements between Central Park and Honicknowle
Work to provide an improved cycling and walking route between Central Park and Honicknowle is scheduled to start today (Monday 24 February).
Part-funded by the Department for Transport through its Cycle Safety Fund, the scheme will deliver the next phase of a cross-city cycle network and encourage more people to discover, or rediscover, the joys of cycling. Many improvements for pedestrians and those with disabilities are also being made.
Extending from Central Park to Crownhill Road, the new cycling and walking link will follow quieter roads and also run through Ham Woods. The plans were approved after consultation with local residents and action groups.
Work on the new link, designed and being delivered by the Council’s highways contractor Amey, will include:
- staggered bollards to replace the ‘kissing gates’ in Ham Woods, allowing people with wheelchairs, mobility scooters, bikes and pushchairs to enjoy the woodland
- two traffic islands on the St Budeaux bypass to help pedestrians and cyclists cross the road
- a reduced speed limit of 40mph on the St Budeaux bypass to further improve safety
- other local improvements such as tactile paving, improved crossings, shared-use paths, wider footways, sections of resurfacing and refreshed signs and road markings.
Councillor Mark Coker, Cabinet Member for Transport, said: “We’re committed to making it easier and safer for people to cycle and walk around Plymouth and this scheme will provide a much improved route between Central Park and Honicknowle. Together with the road safety measures we’re implementing in Ham and West Park, this will make a big difference to people travelling around the north-west of the city by foot and by bike.”
Councillor Philippa Davey, the Council’s Cycling Commissioner, added: “We’re really pleased that the Department for Transport is supporting these improvements, which will deliver another important section of Plymouth’s cycle network and encourage more people to get on their bikes, as well as improve safety for pedestrians.”
Work on the scheme is expected to take around 19 weeks in total. Disruption will be kept to a minimum while the works are carried out but there will be some lane closures and temporary traffic lights during off peak times. There will also be a temporary 30mph speed limit on the St Budeaux bypass to protect the public and workers, as well as maintain two-way traffic for most of the works. Work on the bypass is expected to start in March.
As soon as the exact dates and traffic management arrangements are confirmed they will be made available at www.plymouth.gov.uk/roadworksmap.
They will also be advertised with on-street signs and press notices two weeks before any closures. Alternative access routes will be clearly signed.
For help getting about on foot, by bike or using public transport, visit www.plymouth.gov.uk/plymotion or call 01752 668000 and ask for Plymotion. A full list of the planned works is available at www.plymouth.gov.uk/centralparktohonicknowle.
