No trees will be removed for traffic calming measures to be installed on King’s Road following a redesign during the consultation process.
Instead, the proposed crossing outside City College Plymouth will be moved 20 metres north of the original proposal and the Council has committed to tree maintenance to ensure there is adequate visibility at the proposed crossing near the Stonehouse Bridge roundabout.
The Council embarked on three statutory consultations into proposals for a humped zebra crossing outside the City College Plymouth’s main entrance and another 20 metres from Devonport Hill/Stonehouse Bridge roundabout.
A series of speed humps was also proposed along the road which has seen several traffic accidents over the last five years, including two fatal and three serious collisions.
The crossings are part of the agreed planning conditions for Foulston Park – a multi-million pound investment into sporting excellence and community wellbeing, delivered through a partnership of Plymouth Argyle, Argyle Community Trust, Plymouth City Council, Plymouth Albion RFC and Devonport Community Leisure Limited (DCLL).
The plan originally involved removing four trees – three common limes near the entrance of City College and a London Plane on the corner of King’s Road and Stonehouse Bridge.
The consultation got underway in December and 50 responses were received, of which 20 were Stoke or Devonport residents. Of the responses, eight were in favour and 42 against and of those, 40 said the proposed removal of trees was their main reason for objection.
Other themes commented on were to introduce a 20mph speed limit, to move the zebra crossing so trees would not need to be felled, that the consultation is flawed and that trees are not responsible for accidents.
As the consultation progressed and it became clear that the loss of trees was not regarded favourably by some, so officers reviewed the design and a revised location to the north of the proposed crossing has now been put forward.
A further review into the lighting requirements at the crossing next to the Stonehouse Creek Car Park has proposed that instead of removing a London Plane sensitive tree maintenance would help address the lighting requirements.
As there is no longer a requirement to remove any trees, plans to plant 19 trees in in mitigation have been dropped but five trees will be planted nearby.
Councillor John Stephens, Cabinet Member for Transport has approved the proposal under an executive decision which has now been published. He said: “We listened, we revisited the proposals and we have found a way of ensuring that people can cross this road safely without the need for any trees to be removed.
“I would like to thank all those who took the time to comment – I think it’s fair to say we have been on a bit of a journey with these proposals but hope we people will feel reassured that we are listening and learning.”
Following consultation, it is proposed that:
- The crossing nearest the college be relocated further north to align with the position of the proposed pedestrian access into Foulston Park. This removes the need to fell any trees at this location
- The crossing near Stonehouse Bridge will proceed as planned but an additional review into the crossing’s lighting requirements has led to a revised proposal which means the London Plane earmarked to be moved will be subject to sensitive maintenance.
- The road humps are constructed as advertised, subject to modification at the northern crossing as they are the best design solution to achieve the scheme benefits.
