An engagement programme began on Monday (6 February) for people to give their views on the design for the Armada Way project before a final design is agreed at the end of February.
The exhibition in Plymouth Guildhall runs until Saturday 11 February for anyone to express their views on the modified design the City Council has produced and what further changes they want to see for Armada Way.
Following a busy first day at the exhibition, which was visited by around 80 people, the opening hours have been extended to ensure everyone has a change to give their views.
The exhibition will now be open from:
• Monday 6 February, 12 noon to 5pm
• Tuesday 7 February, 10am to 4pm
• Wednesday 8 February, 10am to 4pm
• Thursday 9 February, 10am to 7pm
• Friday 10 February, 10am to 7pm
• Saturday 11 February, 10am to 4pm.
The design team is on hand to answer questions, explain the various reasons for the current design and listen to any ideas for improvements. The engagement follows a resolution of the City Council on 30 January to fulfil a commitment to a ‘meaningful community engagement process’.
As well as the exhibition there will be series of question and answer sessions with specialist arboriculture and drainage experts, at Knowledge Hub, Armada Way and at Plymouth Guildhall. These will be advertised in advance.
People will also be able to go online at Plymouth Consultation Portal - Keystone (objective.co.uk) from Monday 6 February at noon to Saturday 11 February at 4pm.
Other elements of the programme include:
• A discussion forum with STRAW with the design team, facilitated by an independent specialist advisor, to explore what further changes can be made to the modified design to accommodate more existing trees.
• A discussion forum with the Plymouth Tree Partnership, also facilitated by an independent specialist advisor, to review their alternative plan for Armada Way.
• A discussion forum with local ward councillors facilitated by an independent specialist advisor.
The Council is also offering further meetings with the Woodland Trust and other organisations who wish to seek any specific changes to scheme design.
People will also be able to pop into the Knowledge Hub as a ‘drop-in’ facility, open between 10am and 4pm from Monday to Friday.
The results of the engagement will be collated and published on the Council website later this month.
Councillor Jonathan Drean, Cabinet Member for Transport said: “My previous pause of the scheme was a genuine attempt to look at how many of the existing trees could be kept without unduly compromising other benefits of the scheme.
“I recognise we need to ensure everyone has a chance to have their say, whether they support our modified scheme or not. Ultimately I have had to balance a number of different views and opinions on the best way forward for the Armada Way scheme. This further period of community engagement will therefore help me consider any final changes to the plans and see whether people think they can be improved.”
You can find more information on the scheme on our Armada Way page.
See 19 January 2023 news item: Modified design for Armada Way regeneration scheme published.