What we need to improve to future-proof Woolwell to the George
How we're going to make the improvements needed between Woolwell and the George
What are we doing to invest in the local environment?
Top questions and answers about the scheme
About the scheme
The A386 Tavistock Road is fundamental to the Plymouth road network. It is the main artery into the city from the north, providing links to west Devon and Tavistock. It is a vital route for commuters coming to and from the city, particularly locations such as Derriford Hospital, every day.
The Woolwell to The George scheme will bring huge benefits to the city and make a tremendous difference to everyone who relies on this principal route connecting the north of the city to the A38 Strategic Road Network as well as the city centre. These are benefits not just to drivers but also local businesses, industry, bus passengers, pedestrians and cyclists, providing better and more reliable access to employment, shops, leisure and medical care facilities.
It is widely known this stretch of Tavistock Road has been a pinch-point on our network for a very long time, with more than 30,000 vehicles using it each day and people regularly experiencing frustrating hold-ups and delays.
The north of Plymouth is set for a significant expansion in housing, employment, retail, schools and leisure facilities, identified in the Joint Local Plan.
Around 4,000 new homes are planned in the Derriford area and the north of the city, including around 2,000 homes at the new Woolwell Urban Extension development. In addition, there is a new district shopping centre in Derriford, which will see an increased number of people travelling to and from the shops or to work. As a result of the new homes and businesses, we know that levels of traffic will increase along this already very busy route.
It is therefore essential that the changes we make encourage more walking, cycling and bus travel, as well as minimise congestion and delays for general traffic. Without these vital improvements, congestion will get worse. It will impact people’s daily lives on their journeys to work, school, shopping, hospital and leisure activities and will also increase carbon emissions.
We have already made large scale investments in our transport infrastructure to resolve existing problems and to cater for the impacts of this planned growth. Some of these include improvements at Derriford, Derriford Hospital and Morlaix Drive, as well as the Forder Valley Link Road and the Marjon Link Road.
Woolwell to the George is the next piece of the puzzle. These improvement plans have been in the pipeline for many years and have been set out in our Plymouth and South West Devon Joint Local Plan.
The scheme is split into 3 phases.
- Phase 1 will include walking and cycling improvements on Woolwell Road, new cycling facilities on Tavistock Road (north of Woolwell Roundabout) and a new signalised junction where Woolwell Crescent meets Tavistock Road.
- Phase 2 will replace Woolwell Roundabout with a signalised junction, widen Tavistock Road and improve walking and cycling facilities.
- Phase 3 involves the expansion of the George Park and Ride to provide extra parking spaces.
Funding
The £45 million scheme forms part of a programme of infrastructure investment through the Transforming Cities Fund (TCF) that aims to reduce congestion, improve air quality and help the city prosper by improving public and sustainable transport connectivity on key commuter routes across the city.
It was awarded £5 million from the Department for Transport’s TCF and £19.9 million from the Government’s Levelling Up Fund to tackle congestion and improve public transport on one of our busiest roads.
