Signs enticing people to visit some of our key attractions are due to be installed along parts of the A38 from this week.
Groundwork is getting underway for the installation of 13 new signs pointing to locations such as the Box, the Hoe and Seafront, the Royal William Yard, National Marine Aquarium, the Mayflower Steps and Saltram House.
The upgraded signs will also point to Derriford Hospital, the Park and Rides at Coypool and Milehouse, the continental ferryport and, of course, Home Park where League One Plymouth Argyle play.
Councillor Mark Coker, Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Infrastructure, said: “These signs will replace a number of signs that are out of date and looking pretty weatherworn. Signing to key tourist destinations will also be improved and extended. The lockdown may have caused delays but that does not stop us from doing all we can to make sure this is a city that welcomes visitors once again. We want everything in place to get people here when the time is right.”
The road signs are being replaced as many were in a poor condition or outdated and do not effectively promote all the attractions Britain’s Ocean City has to offer.
Highways England, who manage the A38 as part of its motorway and trunk road network, worked closely with the Council to develop and agree new signs, including a larger version of the Welcome to Plymouth sign on the westbound approach to the city.
The majority of the signs will be mounted on new posts, which will be passively safe. This means that they are designed to deflect or detach under vehicle impact in order to limit injury to vehicle occupants. Vegetation clearance ahead of installation has been ongoing and is nearing completion.
Most of the construction work will take place at night under full or lane closures to minimise disruption to motorists and making sure work can be carried out safely. Where full closures are needed, these will be at night-time only and alternative temporary diversion routes will be clearly signed.
Hundreds of signs are also being cleaned or updated within the city. Almost 200 signs are being replaced following a review of all signs on our key routes in and out of the city centre including the A386 Tavistock Road, the A379 Elburton Road, the A374 Embankment Road and from the Torpoint Ferry.