The transport problems in this area go as far back as the late 1970s. For a long time, both Devon County Council and Plymouth City Council have acknowledged that something needs to be done. It started in 1979, when Devon County Council identified the need to dual from Derriford Roundabout to Roborough.
Widening along the A386 between Woolwell and The George Junction featured annually within Devon County Council’s Transport Policies and Programme submission for many years. This was followed by Plymouth City Council identifying the need for serious highway improvements in the 2011-16 Local Transport Plan.
While some work was done, transport problems continued. In 2019 both Plymouth and South West Devon adopted a new Joint Local Plan, which included the express need to sort out the problems between Woolwell and the George Junction.
Following detailed work, we were able to request funding from the Government to deliver the long-awaited improvements.
At the same time, with our population numbers rising and more people travelling around the city, we need to change our travelling habits if we are to tackle climate change. Transport accounts for 30 per cent of the city’s carbon emissions. As a council we have committed to encouraging people to consider alternatives to the private car. To do that, we need to improve our public transport offer so that buses become one of the main transport choices and people feel more confident cycling or walking.
We know that:
At peak times, the large volume of traffic and subsequent congestion results in significant queuing on Tavistock Road. The existing north and southbound merges are far too short to operate effectively and result in major bottlenecks creating congestion and delays. This means people are regularly late for work or other appointments.
Walking and cycling facilities are poor, with narrow footpaths and cycle paths. In some places on the western side of Tavistock Road the footpath is barely a metre wide, making it difficult for two pedestrians to pass each other, let alone two wheelchair or pushchair users. This means that people are unlikely to want to consider walking or cycling as an option for getting around.
Buses are regularly stuck in traffic. Buses often have to pass through the same congestion twice on their outward and return journeys, causing further delays and compromising the ability of buses to meet their timetable. This means that bus routes are not considered a reliable option.
The George Park and Ride is often full. There are no alternative options to serve the Derriford area, including Derriford Hospital and limited capacity at other park and ride sites serving the city centre.
Congestion in this area means there is not enough capacity on the existing road network. This means that without improvements our planned new housing will not be viable. Without new housing, Plymouth will not be able to meet its future housing needs and will not get other critical infrastructure such as schools, libraries, shops or sports and leisure facilities.