Royal Parade scheme wins public backing

£5M PLAN IS 'WORTH IT' PEOPLE TELL THE HERALD

- WILLIAM TELFORD

A PLANNED upgrade of Royal Parade would cost £5m and take up to half a year to complete.

Further details of the Royal Parade Bus Improvement Scheme, which would see average speed cameras installed on the road, have been revealed during a public consultation.

And members of the public appear to be largely in favour of the upgrade, which would see the number of bus stops increased from 12 to 15, new bus shelters installed and improved granite paving laid down.

The overall scheme, aimed at easing congestion and improving bus efficiency, would cost £5m, with the vast majority of the cash coming from the Government’s Transforming Cities Fund. Plymouth City Council will contribute £400,000 from its Better Places fund to transform the city centre.

There will also be £178,000 from the High Street Heritage Action Zone and £22,000 of highway revenue.

The council hopes to have the scheme approved and contracts awarded in November with work starting in January 2025. It is envisaged as a six-month programme with construction due to be complete by July next year.