Seven new schemes to make it easier and safer for people to walk, wheel and cycle in Plymouth have been added to the city’s capital programme, thanks to funding from the Department for Transport (DfT).

The DfT awarded the Council almost £747,000 from its Consolidated Active Travel Fund earlier this year to help in the development and construction of new walking, wheeling and cycling facilities. The aim is to enable more active travel, improving people’s physical and mental wellbeing, quality of life and access, while also helping to reduce carbon emissions.

Improvements will include:

• Reconstruction of the path between Pike Road in Efford and Willow Close in Crabtree, near Marsh Mills, providing a much-improved link. The path will be named Brian Vincent Way after the former councillor for Efford and Lipson who sadly passed away in 2023. Councillor Vincent, who also represented the city as Lord Mayor from 2008 to 2009, was well-known for his love of Plymouth’s green spaces.
• A new signal-controlled crossing on Budshead Road to help residents travel to and from the shops and other facilities in Whitleigh Green. This scheme was developed and consulted on in summer 2024.
• Physical measures to support the Safer School Streets schemes, including the tightening of the ‘bell mouth’ at the junction of Pearn Road/Higher Compton Road junction (for Compton CE Primary) and narrowing of the entrance to Barne Lane with bollards (for St Paul’s RC Primary).
• Essential improvements on Dawes Lane, a key link between Brixton and Plymouth where surface conditions have deteriorated and access is almost impossible in bad weather.
• Pedestrian controlled signals on the existing crossing at the southern end of Mutley Plain (near Alexandra Road) to make it easier and safer for people, particularly the elderly and disabled, to cross.
• Pedestrian controlled signals on the existing crossings at the Ham Drive/Honicknowle Lane junction to make it easier and safer for people to cross this busy school route.
• A new fence to replace the one between Lucas Terrace in Prince Rock and the ‘Seagull Bridge’ over Embankment Road, which acts as a barrier to a steep slope and is deteriorating in condition.

Councillor John Stephens, Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Transport, said:

“We are really pleased to be delivering these walking, wheeling and cycling improvements across the city, thanks to funding from Active Travel England.

“I hope they’ll be welcomed by residents – particularly the signalised crossing on Mutley Plain and the upgrades to the paths connecting Brixton and Plymouth and Efford and Marsh Mills, where improvements are long overdue.

“Helping people to travel actively not only helps to improve health and wellbeing but also contributes to fresher air and a cleaner environment for all, which in turn makes our city a much nicer place to visit, live in and travel around.”

(Picture: Chris Snape