Your Priorities

  • The five-way junction at the southern end of Mutley Plain is very awkward for both drivers and cyclists when going northwards from either Alexandra Road or Greenbank Road.
  • Bridge between North X and Central Park: This would be a good idea, but cyclists and pedestrians will need to be properly separated, otherwise they will simply get in each others way, as always happen with so-called ‘shared space’.
  • Other ideas: Please can we stop having cycle routes shared with pedestrians. When I am on my bike doing 12-15mph I don’t want to have to keep avoiding pedestrians going at 3mph or less. Equally, when I’m on foot, I want to be able to plod away quietly and not to be constantly looking behind be for cyclists approaching.
    Further, having cycle paths on the wrong side of the road for the direction of travel is a bad thing, as sooner or later the path runs out, and the cyclist then either carries on along the pavement on that side, or has to get across what is often a busy main road.
  • The City Centre: I would certainly approve of this initiative. I cycle every work-day except in exceptional weather conditions from Torpoint to Plymouth University with my route taking me up ferry-hill in Devonport, down to Devonport police station, along paradise road past City College and Devonport High School, along Millbridge road, around Pennycomequick roundabout (you need eyes on stalks for that one), up past the railway station and then via north cross pedestrian underpass into the Uni campus.
    Going home, I often use North Road West simply because Pennycomequick roiundabout is horrendous at that time.
    The major danger points on my route are:
    Pennycomequick  roundabout (cars pull out in front of me / ignore me)
    Going up Saltash road (car’s often pull right out in front of me across the bus lane)
    North Road West – again many cars pull out in front of me from side roads, or give insufficient room when overtaking dues to impatience and parked cars
    Any initiative to improve my route and/or offer sensible alternate safer routse would be most welcome as would similar improvements across the main city centre area.
  • My suggestion for what PCyC should prioritise is…..: Clear cycle lanes of parked vehicles
  • The northern corridor into the city from Derriford down Tavistock Road then Mannamead road and through Mutley Plain is key for a number of reasons:
    1. This is a major route into the city which is ideal for commuting by bicycle. Currently the fragmented nature of the cycle pathways is a major impediment.
    2. Mutley Plain is a major student hub which is the perfect environment to promote a cycling culture. The businesses along Mutley would benefit from a dedicated cycling route into the city (and to the University) as American experience has shown (http://www.advocacyadvance.org/site_images/content/Final_Econ_Update(small).pdf). This may prove to be the renaissance of the Mutley Plain and North Hill corridor to the University as a commercial and leisure area with businesses centered around cycling lifestyle, particularly with the high density of young people who are likely to embrace this environment.
    3. This transformation would obviously require investment, but Mutley is perfect for development given that it is extremely wide, so the development of a proper cycle lane (not a painted strip but a dedicated lane) through Mutley and down North Hill to the University and City Centre seems to me to be a no-brainer given the density of students. The issue of the toilets is a non-issue really – get rid of them.
    4. All this means bravery of vision not necessarily vast amounts of cash – if we want to transform Plymouth into the Copenhagen of England then all it requires is for the local people and politicians to let it be so.
  • My suggestion for what PCyC should prioritise is…..: Ensuring safe commuting routes and stop concentrating on supporting expensive leisure routes
  • I cycled from Woolwell to the City Centre via Milehouse recently. Notwithstanding the poor or non-existent standard of infrastructure, I didn’t see any signs indicating cycle paths on the narrow stretch of Tavistock Road between Runway Road and Derriford roundabout. The Northern Route description mentions a shared path through here (across Powisland Drive) – this is news to me. There was also no signage apparent on the inbound side through Derriford/Crownhill to show any cycle routes under the Manadon flyover, which from memory used to exist. I knew the route to be poor, but was surprised by how bad it actually is.
  • My suggestion for what PCyC should prioritise is…..: Improving the general cycling experience, especially the provision of support setvices including secure storage ( especially for those with ‘challenging’ accommodation), maintenance, and recovery.
  • My suggestion for what PCyC should prioritise is…..: cycling infrastructure on the replacement merafield road bridge and stag lodge
  • Cycle Viaduct between North Cross and Central Park.
    I strongly agree with all five benefits stated in this proposal (reproduced below). I imagine it would be a highly visible feature, thereby providing a ‘positive signal’ to all, Re the support of cycling /cyclists in this city – very encouraging to new cyclists as well, hopefully.
    The proposals as stated are:-
    1. It would give pedestrian/cycle access to Plymouth Station from large residential parts of the city via Central Park, making the journey on foot from the Peverell area and from the Park and Ride car park to the city centre a pleasant, completely off road experience, avoiding the steep, noisy and unattractive route under the Saltash Road railway bridge.
    2. The Life Centre, plus other Central Park sports facilities and green open space would only be a short walk or ride away for University students and staff as well as city residents and workers. The health and environment benefits of walking and cycling are well acknowledged.
    3. The crossing would form part of the preferred ‘Northern Corridor’ cycle route north out of the city, linking to the A 386 to Yelverton and beyond, avoiding either the Alma Rd./ Outland Rd route or the North Hill I Mutley route
    4. It would link the city centre with the underused southern area of the park providing access to public open space and fine views of the city. Environmental improvements to this area of the park would be justified if more people used it.
    5. The current proposals for the ‘Northern Corridor’ are piecemeal and tinker with the problem –  A viaduct as part of a larger scheme is a more far sighted solution.
  • Efford to Marsh Mills via Efford Pathway and Crabtree: This route would open up an easy access to Marsh Mills for the residents of Efford, Eggbuckland, Higher and lower Compton. At Marsh Mills the path joins NCN27, the Plym Valley Trail, as well as leading to Saltram House and grounds. The path exists already, almost in its entirety, and simply requires resurfacing (especially alongside Efford Fort) and repairs to the lighting in the bridge under the fort workings.
  • The Northern Route: The actual cycle path starting under the flyover at  Crownhill and leading up to MacDonalds and Windsor House is very ‘ tree root damaged and not a smooth running path – apart from the odd dead deer ( unfortunately seen on Wed morning and dealt with promptly by ‘the powers that be’ ) there are always shards of freshly broken glass on the path. Likewise, the state of Tavistock Road, leading – this time – from Crownhill towards Manadon roundabout, is shocking and very dangerous to cyclists. The cycling line is pitted with very deep and random pits, one of the pits has two black wires showing through the road surface, not sure what they pertain to.
  • My suggestion for what PCyC should prioritise is…..: Small improvements with big impact eg: 1. The removal of the Billacombe Road barrier – or the insertion of a similar barrier in the road (for the annoyance of motorized traffic).  2. Levelling the Honcray step – either a lowering of the Honcray side or raising the pavement in Pomphlet Close.  3. Removal of the White Ladies fence – to allow access from the White Ladies estate to Goosewell.  4 Providing cycle bypassess through previously stopped junctions  eg Plymstock Rd & Dean Park Rd  and  Horn Cross Rd & Lands Park.
  • My suggestion for what PCyC should prioritise is…..: It would be great to have an off road cycle lane continuing from the top of the St Budeaux bypass alongside the Parkway all the way to Marsh Mills. There must be room for it on the verge. It would be a flatish direct route from one side of Plymouth to the other and could link up with Manadon etc.
  • My suggestion for what PCyC should prioritise is: Lets improve the cycle lanes we have and make them more user friendly. Remember PCC that long term it will improve the health of Plymouth people and this would have a knock on effect of reducing pressure on our NHS. Please see the bigger picture, and don’t look at short term costs of improving the cycle network, as long term you will save millions
  • My suggestion for what PCyC should prioritise is: Need to control better the cycle lanes we have, especially along bilicombe road, as currently the cycle lane is used as parking bays and so forces cyclist into the fast flowing traffi that drives along Billicombe road, the painted white line shaded area is very thickly painted and makes it uncomfortable to cycle on so people cycle on the road.  It’s like riding on cobbles as a example
  • My suggestion for what PCyC should prioritise is…..: I would like to see NCN2 upgraded for its full length between Deep Lane and the city centre to be an all purpose continuous route including commuting, connection to South Hams, north side of Sherford, Langage, Lee Mill, etc.  Much of it is in place but there are several short sections to make it continuous.  Ideally it should be 4 metres wide.  To make it a virtually continuous off-road route, the following requires to be carried out:      Create pelican crossing on Sandy Road at junction with Glen Road     Take down unnecessary barriers beside Glen Road     Add safety barrier at top of steps where Downfield Drive meets Glen Road (very dangerous)     Divert NCN2 by widening existing path alongside Glen Road between Station Road and Ridgeway (this takes out steep hill and on-road section of Ridgeway)     Pelican crossing over Ridgeway into Market Street     Create short length shared path beside Cot Hill     Upgrade sub standard path between Cot Hill and junction NCN27 beside sewage works     NCN2 to be properly signed alongside the Embankment (no signs exist)     Reset traffic lights at Marsh Mills so that cyclist is always green when motorists are red     Create safe crossings at Sainsbury superstore and Old Laira Road  I use this route fairly regularly.  This sounds a lot of work but it is not a major project.  There are short lengths on-road in existing housing estates with low volumes of traffic.  For clarity, this additional to the expressway because it serves a different part of Plymouth.  Locations are as Plymouth Cycling Map
  • I feel that the section from The George to Plessy roundabout is adequate if a little narrow or disjointed. There is at least an off-road option and on-road the lanes are wide enough for cars to pass.
    Plessy to the Dartmoor Diner is simply awful. On fit days I ride on the road and feel intimidated by the passing  traffic, especially when some motorists view the hill as a “last chance” to overtake slower vehicles.
    On slower/family rides I use the pavement that takes a lot of skill and is arguably less safe than the road with it being so narrow!
    Between the Diner and Yelverton Roundabout is unpleasant. The road/commuter ride feels unsafe and intimidating. I have never experienced an accident (and in fairness I don’t know the safety stats) but the buffeting of trucks and buses and tight overtakes do nothing to enhance the experience!
    I appreciate the Moor and respect the need for its preservation but I wonder just how healthy the flora and fauna is adjacent to this busy road anyway? I would support sacrificing a narrow strip for the development of a cycle path parallel to the A386 primarily for faster road rides/commutes but it would link nicely with the fantastic Drakes Trail & Plym Valley Line for MTB/Leisure/Family making a nice circular option in/out of the city for locals and visitors alike.
  • This is an area that urgently needs improvement. At present the Morrisons roundabout is particularly difficult to negotiate by bicycle, combining heavy traffic flow, steep hills & poor sight lines. A pedestrian / cycle crossing of Billacombe Road (near Broxton Drive) is also urgently required (& ought to have been a condition of development for Saltram Meadow).
  • Small improvements with big impact eg: 1. The removal of the Billacombe Road barrier – or the insertion of a similar barrier in the road (for the annoyance of motorized traffic).  2. Levelling the Honcray step – either a lowering of the Honcray side or raising the pavement in Pomphlet Close.  3. Removal of the White Ladies fence – to allow access from the White Ladies estate to Goosewell.  4 Providing cycle bypassess through previously stopped junctions  eg Plymstock Rd & Dean Park Rd  and  Horn Cross Rd & Lands Park.
  • It would be great to have an off road cycle lane continuing from the top of the St Budeaux bypass alongside the Parkway all the way to Marsh Mills. There must be room for it on the verge. It would be a flatish direct route from one side of Plymouth to the other and could link up with Manadon etc.
  • The actual cycle path starting under the flyover at  Crownhill and leading up to MacDonalds and Windsor House is very ‘ tree root damaged and not a smooth running path – apart from the odd dead deer ( unfortunately seen on Wed morning and dealt with promptly by ‘the powers that be’ ) there are always shards of freshly broken glass on the path. Likewise, the state of Tavistock Road, leading – this time – from Crownhill towards Manadon roundabout, is shocking and very dangerous to cyclists. The cycling line is pitted with very deep and random pits, one of the pits has two black wires showing through the road surface, not sure what they pertain to.
  • Comment: A bridge across the entrance channel to Hooe Lake linking Oreston and Turnchapel has been planned for at least 15 years.
    When the housing estate on the site of the old timber yard on the East side of the channel was developed the former railway line was cleared as a pedestrian/cycle path. A gap was left between the houses to access a pedestrian/cycling bridge which would be constructed on the existing piers of the old railway line. Subsequently various PCC administrations have looked considered the scheme, without action.
    Now the importance of reinstating this bridge is more important. There has been a massive development of residential housing in the quarries to the West side of Hooe Lake. This has generated an increase in motor traffic in the Radford area of Plymstock and on the A379 Laira Bridge.
    Completing the cycle path link to the Pomphlett roundabout would provide an almost flat link into the new cycle expressway to the city centre and to NCN27 via Saltram,Plympton and the Plym Valley.
    If there is a necessity to allow yacht masts to pass occasionally a section of the bridge may have to lift or swivel, but this would be a minor inconvenience compared to the envoronmental and health benefits of completing this walking and cycling route