We’re celebrating news that a £22.56 million investment earmarked for the Forder Valley Link Road has been confirmed by the Department for Transport (DfT).
The business case for the scheme, which will create a much-needed second route between the A38 and Derriford avoiding the often heavily congested Manadon Roundabout, has now been approved.
The Forder Valley Link Road will not only help reduce journey times and improve traffic flow but also provide essential infrastructure needed to unlock growth in the north of the city.
It will connect William Prance Road with the junction of Forder Valley Road and Novorossiysk Road, making it easier to get to destinations such as Derriford Hospital, the University of St Mark and St John and Plymouth Science Park.
The scheme will also open up the potential for new bus links from the east of the city and provide safer walking and cycling routes.
Enabling works got under way at the end of January and the first of 14,500 trees have already been planted as part of a landscaping scheme designed to counter any loss of wildlife habitat.
Councillor Mark Coker, Cabinet Member for Strategic Transport and Infrastructure, said: “The Forder Valley Link Road is one of the biggest infrastructure projects this Council has ever embarked on.
“It will provide vital extra capacity on Plymouth’s road network and help deliver new jobs and homes in the north of the city.
“We submitted a strong, compelling business case so we’re really pleased the DfT has now confirmed the funding it had earmarked for this regionally significant scheme.
“It’s great that Plymouth is continuing to build on its track record of securing major investment in these large-scale transport infrastructure improvements. I would like to thank Council officers who have worked so hard on the scheme.”
The Forder Valley Link Road has already been successful in securing £4.7m from Highways England.