The new design of Armada Way is an homage and tribute to original 1943 designs, says local Plymouth historian.
In 1943, one of the country’s leading architect/planners, Professor Patrick Abercrombie and James Paton Watson, a city engineer and surveyor, produced a proposal called ‘A Plan For Plymouth’. The outlined how they thought the city centre should evolve, post the Blitz.
The original scheme proposed a new Armada Way, which would be a kilometre long processional, pedestrianised tree-lined route for the people of Plymouth, running directly through the commercial centre, bisected by the smaller streets of the grid.
The idea was that visitors arriving by rail would have a clear route into the city centre along this key axis, with the view to the Hoe and the memorial as a constantly visible landmark.
Because the original post-war regeneration and removing all the Blitz damaged buildings took so long, the original simple vision was lost. The last major update in the city centre was in the 1980s and took little account of this vision.
The new proposal, which is currently out for public consultation, seeks to mirror the original design.
Local historian, Chris Robinson is an expert in the history of Plymouth and has written a number of books about the city centre. In a recent video he praised the Council on their current designs. He said: “What’s brilliant is that the vision in this new design is as good as, if not better than the original. We can create something that leads people in a direct line, from the train station all the way to the war memorial.
“The new plans realise the original vision.”
Councillor Jemima Laing, Plymouth City Council Cabinet Member for Culture, added: “I think we can all agree that over the last 35 years, Armada Way has gradually become tired and damaged. Plymouth deserves better.
“We have really tried to design a scheme that is a tribute to the original 1943 plan for Armada Way, with modern-day touches. We have designed a wide, sweeping avenue, lined with over 200 trees, and importantly provides a clear vista to the Hoe.
“This new proposal is a nod to the past, creating a new, modern, 21st century city centre – one that is vibrant, exciting and busy.”