'Big day' as work to completely transform part of Plymouth city centre finally begins
A long-awaited regeneration scheme that will completely transform part of Plymouth's city centre is now finally off the starting blocks.
Council leader Tudor Evans and Cllr Mark Lowry marked the start of work on the Armada Way scheme by digging the ground at the top compound near North Cross.
Councillor Evans said: “This is a big day and a big deal. We said we would sort Armada Way and we are. "It’s been a hell of a journey, but we are determined to make it worthwhile.
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"There is so much to be gained from this scheme – new spaces for events and activities, places to play, better lighting, better seating, new CCTV cameras to help prevent antisocial behaviour, new landscapes to provide for biodiversity and a sustainable urban drainage system which will relieve pressure on our ageing drainage system. We are investing in the city centre because we think it is important and the right thing to do.”
City centre Champion Mark Lowry added: “We would like to thank the businesses for their continued patience and support while we worked through all the challenges a scheme of this ambition has thrown up. Investors are watching this with great interest.
“We currently have around 800 homes in the city centre and we want to see many more. The city centre is seeing rejuvenation and regeneration on a massive scale, which is needed if we are to make it a buzzing place where people want to visit, shop or live in.”
Given the scale of the scheme, the construction will take place over 22 months and will be carried out in phases. Armada Way has been split into work zones and the first sign of progress will be site clearance and the creation of a haul road – a temporary road made from recycled building material – in the top two zones, with the top zone the first to see extensive work carried out.
These roads will appear in each zone, to enable construction vehicles to get on and off the sites easily from the highway. The compound overlooked by Beckley Point will see contractors digging foundations and forming the new amphitheatre, installing pipework for the rill and constructing the rain gardens – the first stage of the new SuDs scheme.
New landscaping, tree planting, new lighting, street furniture and flag poles reinstated as well as new paving are also part of the project plan.
The team has met with businesses and will be working closely with the 50 or so retailers along Armada Way to ensure as little disruption as possible while the work progresses.
Steve Hughes, Chief Executive of the City Centre Company, said: “There are over 500 businesses here in the city centre employing over 7,000 employees. This scheme is hugely important to the city, to the shops, to future investors. We are delighted to see work start and can’t wait for this important street to be transformed.”
The scheme will:
Recapture the scale and grandeur of Armada Way, providing a gateway to the city centre, linking the train station to The Hoe
Provide more trees and greenery, there will be 202 trees on Armada Way. The new trees will all be 3.5 to eight metres high when planted, to give immediate environmental benefits and a canopy to provide cover
Help wildlife and nature. There will be a variety of trees providing a range of habitats, shrubs, wildflowers and reed beds, as well as bug hotels and bird boxes
Offer a huge play village for families. A destination play village that will be the size of five tennis courts, full of spaces to run, splash, balance, swing, climb, relax and sit, for children of all ages and their carers/parents to enjoy
Work smartly to deal with the city’s rainwater. A new surface water drainage system that will be partly powered by solar panels to make it more sustainable. It will recycle the water to maintain the plants and trees.
Improve safety for all. The scheme will install 12 and 15 metre high lighting throughout and feature lighting to up-light plants and create patterns on the ground. A much-improved CCTV system and clear views across Armada Way will help to deter anti-social behaviour.
Provide places to sit, relax and eat – there will be spaces for 500 people to sit.
Create cycling path for people of all abilities - with cycle racks and Beryl Bike hubs
Offer pop-up spaces with water and power – for retail, arts and entertainment