Currently, there is an existing shared-use pedestrian and cycle path on the eastern side of Embankment Road from Marsh Mills to Embankment Lane. The route forms part of Plymouth’s Strategic Cycle Network and provides the key active mode link between Marsh Mills and residential areas at Plympton, and the key employment locations at Cattedown and the City Centre.
This section of the route is well used by pedestrians and cyclists, and links to the Blagdon’s Meadow area of open space, Plymouth Rowing Club and on to Marsh Mills. On this eastern side, the route also links to the segregated walk and cycle bridge over Embankment Road and onto the city centre.
The current section of the path at Blagdon’s Meadow is narrow and is not of sufficient width for pedestrians and cyclists to safely pass, which limits the potential use of the route for active mode users. The need for an upgrade of this section was reflected in the public consultation carried out for MRN in March 2021.
The Arnold’s Point Flood Protection works planned as part of the MRN programme provide an opportunity to include improvements to the path in the programme. The current proposals now include an upgrade of this section of the path to a segregated pedestrian and cycleway along Embankment Road and through Blagdon’s Meadow.