Plymouth ‘known accident hotspot’ set for long awaited improvement plans this spring

Work on long-planned improvements at the Charlton Road and Tavistock Road junction in Crownhill is expected to begin in the spring, subject to final approvals.

The scheme will reinstate the right turn from Tavistock Road into Charlton Road, which was closed during construction of the Derriford Transport Scheme, with new traffic signals introduced to control the junction.

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Plymouth City Council says the junction had been “a known accident hotspot” for a number of years. 

Plans to reopen the turn under signal control were first developed several years ago, but the project faced delays due to technical issues and the need for additional design work.

Further investigations identified the need to lower a large gas main in the central reservation of Tavistock Road. 

This is required to create a longer right-turn lane and allow vehicles to wait safely at the new signals.

A construction programme and traffic management plan have now been submitted for approval. 

If agreed under a temporary traffic regulation order, the Tavistock Road end of Charlton Road would be closed for the duration of the works, which are expected to last around six months.

During construction, two lanes will remain open in both directions on Tavistock Road. Inbound bus lane restrictions will be suspended between William Prance Road and Plumer Road, allowing all vehicles to use the lane. 

ABOVE: The right turning pictured before changes in July 2016 (Image: Google Maps)

Some temporary speed limit changes are also planned on both inbound and outbound sections.

To maintain access for residents, a temporary vehicles-only link would be provided between Charlton Road and Colborne Road, using a walking and cycling route currently under construction. 

This arrangement is subject to temporary planning permission and would be removed once works are complete.

Councillor John Stephens, cabinet member for strategic planning and transport, said residents had been waiting a long time for the junction changes. 

“We are pleased to have been able to negotiate temporary alternative access for residents, which will enable us to close the Tavistock Road end of road and complete the works in a shorter timeframe.” he said.

The temporary access route is currently the subject of a planning application. 

Plymouth City Council’s highways officers have said further information is needed on how pedestrian and cyclist safety risks would be managed during the temporary change of use.

Reaction on social media has been mixed, with some residents welcoming the long-awaited reopening of the turn, and one person describing the plans as “great news and long overdue”. 

Others raised concerns about congestion, with comments questioning whether additional traffic lights would worsen delays already present on Tavistock Road.

If the planning application and traffic order are approved, the council says construction will begin in the spring, with a start date to be confirmed nearer the time.