Visitors to the city centre will notice a big change in Armada Way from Friday when a cut through between Oggy Oggy and Subway is created, which has been a priority for local traders.
Sections of the fencing surrounding the felled trees and stumps will be pulled back – enabling people to pop into shops more easily, widening the footway as well as creating a cut through.
Councillor Tudor Evans, Leader of Plymouth City Council, said: “I do not underestimate the impact that the Armada Way mess is having on local businesses.
“I have heard local traders loud and clear. Unfortunately, we are unable to remove all the fencing, as we need to surround the large piles of felled trees, until they can be removed. But, we can pull fencing back.
“On Friday we will create a new cut-through – making it easier to access businesses. Fingers crossed, we will be able to pull-back further in a couple of weeks, when I am hopeful we will be able to remove the stumps.”
In March, heras fencing was installed around large sections of Armada Way to protect pedestrians and businesses from falling debris when the trees were felled.
The legal injunction prevented the Council from cleaning up the site and now due to ongoing legal constraints, the large piles of felled trees have to stay in situ until the end of the bird-nesting season.
Whilst fencing is still required around the tree stumps and stacks of fallen trees, local traders asked the Leader of the Council if the barriers could be pulled back, and a cut through created to enable people to cross from one side to another.
Following a review of the fencing, it has been agreed that certain sections can be pulled back between Mayflower Street and Cornwall Street. This will widen the footway and create a cut through from one side to the other, between Oggy Oggy and Subway.
As a matter of courtesy, the Council has informed the claimant in the legal injunction of our intention to move the fencing from this Friday 16 June.
Councillor Evans added: “I have also asked officers to carry out litter picking and a general tidy-up, to ensure that the reopened spaces are clean.
“Bit by bit we will clean-up Armada Way. Bit by bit we will take back control.”