We’re asking residents for their views on proposed improvements to major junctions on Plymouth’s Major Road Network (MRN).

The plans are focused around three key sections along the route – Marsh Mills Roundabout, Embankment Road and the St Budeaux Bypass – and includes lane widening, junction capacity upgrades and new facilities for pedestrians and cyclists.

To help break down each aspect of the scheme, here is the last in a series of features about the different aspects of the plans, this time focussing on the Embankment and Arnold’s Point.

Have a read through and then head to www.plymouth.gov.uk/MRN to give us your thoughts.

The consultation closes on Friday 20 March.

As one of the key routes into Plymouth, the stretch of Embankment Road between Arnold’s Point and the cycle bridge, is a place thousands of people travel through every day, whether they are heading to work, driving into the city, or using the path alongside the river to walk or cycle.

It is a route with huge potential, but also one that is starting to show its limits, particularly for people trying to get around without a car.

The proposed improvements here aim to make the area safer and easier to use, while also tackling a growing issue that is becoming impossible to ignore; the increasing risk of flooding.

The shared walking and cycling path that runs along the southern side of Embankment Road is an important link in Plymouth’s Strategic Cycle Network. It connects residential areas like Plympton and Leigham with major employment centres in Cattedown and the city centre.

Like many sections on this route, the path at Blagdon’s Meadow is far too narrow for the number of people using it. Cyclists and pedestrians often have to squeeze past each other which can feel uncomfortable and unsafe, especially during busy times.

To fix this, the plan is to upgrade around 1.2 kilometres of the route into a fully segregated facility so that people walking and people cycling each have their own dedicated space.

At Blagdon’s Meadow there are two possible ways this could be done.

One option keeps the existing path alignment and simply widens it, although doing so would require removing trees both within the meadow and along Embankment Road.

The alternative option keeps the current path for cyclists but creates a new pedestrian route that weaves through the meadow instead.

Alongside the walking and cycling upgrades is another major piece of work that is becoming more urgent each year.

Arnold’s Point and the surrounding stretch of Embankment Road sit between the Plym Estuary on one side and vital rail infrastructure on the other.

As sea levels rise, the risk of flooding is increasing for nearby homes, the main road into Plymouth from the east, and the railway line that connects Plymouth and Cornwall with the rest of the country.

The existing flood defence wall has already prevented three potential flood events since it was built in 2013, but predictions suggest that by 2050 this area could flood roughly once a year if nothing is done.

To stay ahead of this, the MRN scheme is working with the Environment Agency to extend the current flood defence by around 1.2 kilometres all the way to Blagdon’s Meadow.

The new wall is being designed not only to protect the area but also to fit into the landscape more sensitively including adding a watertight glass section on the top so people can still enjoy the views across the estuary without compromising on safety.

The alignment of the new flood wall is tied closely to the design of the improved walking and cycling routes. This is why the same two options being considered for the path at Blagdon’s Meadow are also being looked at for the wall.

In addition to the proposal on Embankment Road and Arnold’s Point, the plans also include the removal of Seagull Bridge.

This redundant rail bridge has a height restriction of 4.8m, forcing high-sided vehicles to use alternative routes which are often less direct and unsuitable for HGV traffic.

Together, the improvements planned for this area of the project are about future proofing an important route and creating better ways for people to move around the city.

It is a chance to make the area safer, greener and more enjoyable for everyone who uses it, while putting essential flood protection in place for the decades ahead.

Please give us your views on the scheme at www.plymouth.gov.uk/MRN

We’re asking residents for their views on proposed improvements to major junctions on Plymouth’s Major Road Network (MRN).

The plans are focused around three key sections along the route – Marsh Mills Roundabout, Embankment Road and the St Budeaux Bypass – and includes lane widening, junction capacity upgrades and new facilities for pedestrians and cyclists.

To help break down each aspect of the scheme, here is the latest in a series of features about the different aspects of the plans, this time focussing on Marsh Mills.

Have a ready through and then head to www.plymouth.gov.uk/MRN to give us your thoughts.

Marsh Mills has long been one of Plymouth’s busiest and most important gateways, funnelling traffic from the east into the city and connecting drivers to the A38, Plympton, Leigham and the wider road network.

As traffic levels have grown, so has the pressure on this major junction and a series of proposed changes aim to make it work more smoothly for everyone who uses it.

The plan focuses on Marsh Mills roundabout itself along with the roads feeding into it and includes widening several approaches to increase capacity and ease queuing at peak times.

One of the key changes would extend the second lane on the Embankment Road northbound approach for drivers heading towards the A38 Liskeard and Leigham Roundabout.

This extra space should help reduce the stop start conditions that often build up here and allow more vehicles to merge without slowing the entire approach.

On the opposite side, a new additional lane is proposed on the Leigham Roundabout approach for traffic heading towards Exeter. This creates more room to separate out different turning movements, making it easier for drivers to get into the correct lane earlier, helping the whole junction run more efficiently.

There is also a specific improvement planned for drivers heading into Sainsbury’s, where an extra lane would separate traffic heading for the petrol station from those going to the main store. Anyone who regularly uses this entrance knows how quickly queues can build, so this change should make a noticeable difference during busy shopping periods.

On the roundabout itself, an additional lane would be added between the Plymouth Road/Embankment Road northbound entry and exit arms. This would create two clear lanes for vehicles heading towards Leigham Roundabout or the Cornwall-bound A38 and two lanes for those travelling towards Plympton.

Public transport is also set to benefit. A new bus lane on the northbound approach along Embankment Road and Plymouth Road will allow Plympton bound buses to move ahead of queuing traffic when the roads are busiest.

This should help keep services running on time and reduce the uncertainty that drivers and passengers often face when buses get caught behind long lines of cars on the approach to the roundabout.

People walking, wheeling and cycling would see significant upgrades too. The uncontrolled crossing over the vehicle entrance into Sainsbury’s would be replaced with a safer and more predictable signal-controlled crossing with the path either side of the crossing widened.

This connects neatly with the paths that run between Plympton and the city centre, strengthening an already well used active travel corridor.

Another major improvement focuses on the narrow crossing under the Marsh Mills flyover near the Beefeater. At the moment, cyclists must dismount and the middle section is extremely tight due to the flyover wall.

There are two options up for consultation. The first proposal widens the existing shared path either side of the crossing by shifting the road slightly and creating a new segregated path that continues under the flyover.

The second proposal replaces this crossing with one nearer the junction, where the traffic island that separates Plympton and Leigham traffic would be widened to accommodate a two-stage crossing point.

A further improvement realigns part of the off-road walking and cycling path on the eastbound approach to create a more direct route away from the busiest parts of the junction. This aligns better with where people naturally walk and cycle through the Retail Park and improves the overall experience.

Together, these changes aim to make Marsh Mills easier to navigate, safer to cross and more reliable for everyone who depends on it, creating a smoother gateway into Plymouth’s eastern side.

For more information on the rest of MRN plans and to have your say on the proposals, head to www.plymouth.gov.uk/MRN