Delays at Manadon. We all know about them, we've all felt it.
Some days it can be absolutely fine; others it's bit of a gamble. It's not reliable.
And that’s just now. In the next few years, as the city grows with ambitious new housing targets, the growth of the hospital and the expansion of the dockyard, it's going to get worse.
That's why we're bringing forward potential changes to the roundabout, to improve things not just now but in the future.
The graphic below has been developed from queue length data and shows how traffic queues will look in years to come in scenarios where we continue with the scheme and if we do nothing.
"The data is clear," explains Councillor John Stephens, Cabinet Member for Transport. "Doing nothing, sitting on our hands, is simply not a viable option. Manadon needs investment so that we can provide the infrastructure we need for the expected growth of this city.
"I'd ask everyone who travels through Manadon to get involved in this engagement exercise. Give us your feedback and let us know what you think of the proposals."
Manadon is at the heart of Plymouth's transport network and is a key part of the journey to and from some of the busiest places in the city.
You've got an appointment at Derriford at 10am, but you're still stuck queuing on the A38 at 9.40am. You thought you'd left enough time. It was fine when you came through Manadon last week but it's just not moving today. You hope you don't miss it.
University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust (UHP), who runs Derriford Hospital, the largest specialist teaching hospital in the south west peninsula and the region’s major trauma centre, continues to redevelop their facilities.
Stuart Windsor, Future Hospital Director, said: “Our Future Hospital Programme is transforming how care is delivered to improve lives across Plymouth, Devon and Cornwall through investing in our healthcare estate.
"This includes a new purpose-built Emergency Care Building at our Derriford site, which will double the space to care for the increasing numbers of patients with urgent and emergency conditions.
"Works that improve accessibility to Derriford Hospital will be hugely beneficial for our patients and colleagues, and are an important part of enabling our organisation to delivering its long-term goals.”
Argyle have got a crunch late-season game to secure promotion and by some miracle, you’ve bagged yourself a ticket. You left the house in good time - enough time for a pasty before the game. But you didn't account for Manadon. There's been a shunt somewhere else in the city, and everyone is using Manadon instead. It's 2.40pm. You've still got to find somewhere to park once you get to Home Park. It's not the start to the afternoon you had planned.
Meanwhile, every other week for most of the year at least 16,000 people descend on Home Park to cheer on Plymouth Argyle. Many of that crowd make their way through Manadon.
Christian Kent, Head of Venue, Hospitality & Events at Plymouth Argyle, said: "Supporters will be aware that Plymouth Argyle have worked hard on making Home Park more accessible over the past two seasons with additional transport and parking.
“The Manadon project ethos and aims are a step in the right direction in ensuring attending matches and events at Home Park is as efficient as possible.
“We’d very much encourage our fans to engage with the scheme, so the needs of our fanbase are considered.”
You can view the plans for improvements at Manadon and fill in the online survey at https://keepmanadonmoving.commonplace.is
Manadon Key Facts
- 60,000+ journeys pass through the interchange every day.
- Journeys through Manadon junction regularly take significantly longer than necessary due to congestion.
- The existing layout was designed for much lower traffic volumes and cannot cope with future demand.
- By 2040, queues are expected to back onto the A38 daily, creating major safety risks