Work on a brand new, off-road cycle path is set to begin this week.
Broxton Drive to Saltram Meadow roundabout walking and cycling route will run parallel to Billacombe Road and will act as an extension to the current route that stretches back past Laira Bridge.
The path will start on the eastern side of Broxton Drive, run along the route of the old railway line and meet up with the new roundabout that links Billacombe Road to the Saltram Meadow development.
Contractors South West Highways will begin work on Monday and plan to be finished by the summer.
Councillor Mark Coker, Cabinet member for Strategic Transport and Infrastructure, said: "It's great to see work starting on this project, which extends a route that is already popular with walkers and cyclists further into Plymstock.
"Neighbourhood-based schemes like this are crucial to providing the infrastructure needed to tackle the climate emergency.
"We know that people aren't suddenly going to start leaving their cars at home overnight but if we can make the transition to sustainable transport that little bit easier or that little bit more desirable, then over time we hope to see more people walking and cycling."
Construction of this route, improving access for pedestrians, cyclists, mobility scooter and wheelchair users, is funded through the Department for Transport’s Transforming Cities Fund and Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership, thanks to successful funding bids by the council, as well as developer contributions.
Karl Tucker, chair of the Heart of the South West LEP, said: “We are delighted that the Heart of the South West LEP has been able to support this project through Growth Deal funding. The creation of this new off-road cycle path will help to improve connectivity within the heart of the city and continue to encourage the move to increase more walking and cycling and reduce reliance on other forms of transport helping to reduce traffic congestion and CO2 emissions.”
Once construction has finished, attention will turn to extending the route further east to Colesdown Hill and beyond to link in with Elburton Road and the Sherford development.
The construction of this scheme contributes to actions 2.21 and 2.22 of the Council's Climate Emergency Action Plan.
About the Heart of the South West LEP’s Growth Deal
The Heart of the South West LEP’s total Growth Deal is worth £590m; including £239m from Government and £351m match funding. Over the lifetime of the Growth Deal: 2015 – 2025; HotSW LEP estimates the investment will create up to 22,641 new jobs and 18,911 new homes.
