top of page
  • Writer's pictureSafer Highways

New bridge over major Devon road will support new jobs

A new bridge set to be constructed over the A38 in Plymouth has been given the go-ahead by Devon County Council's Cabinet. The decision was made in a bid to enhance connectivity to a burgeoning employment development at Langage.


The bridge forms a crucial part of the Plymouth and South Devon (PASD) Freeport plans. The council approved the construction of a two-phase spine road, which will extend the existing Kingsway road, in addition to the multi-use bridge across the A38 Deep Lane Junction.


This will link the emerging community of Sherford with the expanding development. The PASD Freeport, one of twelve designated by the Government, is a collaborative effort between Plymouth City Council, South Hams District Council, Devon County Council, and the private sector. It aims to generate over 3,500 jobs, primarily in key engineering and manufacturing sectors, playing a pivotal role in Devon's economic recovery and growth, reports Plymouth Live.


At present, the Kingsway road terminates just south of the Langage Power Station on the eastern flank of the Langage Business Park. The first phase will concentrate on extending the road to serve the Langage site.


Plans have been laid out for work to commence in November this year, aiming to wrap up by the subsequent spring. The construction plan is particularly flexible, enabling developers to create access points to the site when individual plots garner planning permission and are ready for use.


By December this year, construction is set to kick off on a multi-use bridge. Funding for this project, alongside improvements to the Sandy Road/Holland Road roundabout, comes courtesy of £9.619 million from the UK Government's Plymouth and South Devon Freeport seed capital programme, along with potential borrowing of £14.289 million by DCC as endorsed by Full Council in February of this year.


Devon County Councillor Stuart Hughes, who oversees Highway Management, said: "I welcome the proposed infrastructure to support the Freeport, which will bring new jobs to the area. The new bridge across the A38 is much needed to support active travel at an early stage in the expansion of homes and jobs on Plymouth's urban fringe.


"Early delivery of a walking and cycling connection between Sherford and Langage Business Park, including the Freeport, will provide a healthy, safe alternative choice for short-distance journeys. We've worked closely with stakeholders on the design of the bridge and have listened to feedback. This has resulted in amended plans to make crossing facilities more convenient and safer for people living and working in the area."

Devon County Council's spokesperson on climate change, transport and the environment, Councillor Andrea Davis, spoke about the new bridge's wider impact. She said: "The Freeport's vision is to create thousands of high-quality jobs while acting as an exemplar to achieve net zero ahead of 2050. This new bridge supports that vision through the decarbonisation of transport by improving active travel options for short to medium-distance journeys in the local area."


Following this statement, it was announced that the scheme would soon be put out for bids, subject to legal, land assembly, and planning considerations.


85 views0 comments

Kommentare


Recent Blog Posts

NEWS AND UPDATES

bottom of page