National Highways delivers A38 bridge boost for all in Plymouth
National Highways has completed a scheme to modify a bridge and provide safer and more accessible crossings over the A38 near Plymouth.
The newly completed bridge is easier and safer for all users
Since 2015, National Highways has invested more than £85 million towards the creation of 160 new and upgraded cycle ways across England, providing safe, attractive and more accessible and inclusive facilities for people to travel for work, shopping and leisure.
And this week the company marked the completion of a significant £2.89 million scheme to upgrade the Mowhay footbridge, effectively joining up with a local cycle route around the city and also making it easier for wheelchair users and people with pushchairs to cross the A38.
The original bridge was not wide enough to safely accommodate both cyclists and walkers, and work started in June last year to modify both the bridge and ramps to enable it to link up with a recently completed footway/cycleway.
As well as the wider deck, the upgrade includes a more manageable gradient, new ramps, steps, fencing and guard rails, new lighting and a new surface water drainage system.
By improving the connection between Honicknowle, Weston Mill and St Budeaux further recreational opportunities will be unlocked in Plymouth and commuters will be provided with a new facility enabling them to actively choose an alternative sustainable method of transport.
National Highways Route Manager Ed Halford said:
We바카라 사이트™re committed to significantly improving safety across our road network, and the new and improved bridge will make it much easier and safer for a variety of users, including cyclists, travelling to and from the centre of Plymouth.
At National Highways, our work goes beyond operating, maintaining and improving roads. We바카라 사이트™re investing in the environment and communities surrounding our network, as well as the people travelling and working on it. We aim to address social and environmental issues and add real value to society.
We바카라 사이트™ve worked closely with Plymouth City Council to realise this project 바카라 사이트“ a glowing example of how this funding can make life better for communities living and working near our roads.
The original Mowhay bridge over the A38 (above) was too narrow to accommodate cyclists and walkers safely, and (below) the widened bridge
The scheme follows the completion of Sustrans바카라 사이트™ National Highways-funded cycle path scheme at the A38 Marsh Mills Interchange near Plymouth.
Councillor Jonathan Drean, Plymouth City Council바카라 사이트™s Cabinet Member for Transport, said:
We바카라 사이트™re delighted to see the newly improved Mowhay Road bridge open following this substantial investment by National Highways.
It provides a key walking and cycling link between communities either side of the A38 and will complement improvements we바카라 사이트™re looking to deliver through our Transforming Cities Fund, between the dockyard and city centre, and our Major Roads Network programme.
Plymouth바카라 사이트™s growing walking and cycling network will help more and more people to choose active travel and supports our Climate Emergency Action Plan commitments.
Iain Stewart, Sustrans Network Development Manager for the South West, added:
I바카라 사이트™m delighted to see this project come to a successful conclusion. This bridge is an important active travel connection for the communities living north and south of the busy A38.
These improvements make it easier for people to choose walking, wheeling and cycling in the area, and are very much welcomed by Sustrans.
National Highways manages four designated funds, allocated by the 바카라 사이트, to deliver benefits above and beyond building, maintaining and operating England바카라 사이트™s strategic roads.
From protecting the environment and enhancing the landscape around roads, to improving safety, reducing congestion, and supporting communities, the aim is to make a positive difference to people바카라 사이트™s lives.
Elsewhere in the South West, designated funding has already provided safer journeys for cyclists around M5 Junction 16 near Bristol, on the A35 in Bridport, and Cycle Route 45 around the A303 Solstice Park near Amesbury.
Last year also saw the completion of South Gloucestershire Council바카라 사이트™s initiative to upgrade close to seven miles of walking and cycling paths around the Severnside Enterprise Area at Avonmouth, near Bristol, and a new cycleway on the A36 in Salisbury 바카라 사이트“ both realised with National Highways바카라 사이트™ designated funding 바카라 사이트“ while other ongoing schemes include:
- funding Wiltshire Council to deliver a new, safer toucan crossing on the A345 in Amesbury
- funding provided to Gloucestershire County Council towards the design of the A40/B4063 cycleway, currently under consultation.
- funding provided to North Somerset Council to create a cycle path between Weston-super-Mare and Clevedon and complete the final part of the cycle route between Brean and Portishead
- funding invested to enable Cornwall Council to deliver cycle routes alongside the busy A30 in mid-Cornwall.
Going forward, cyclists, pedestrians and horse riders will see more benefits over the next five years from the £169 million set aside for various community-focussed projects in National Highways바카라 사이트™ Users and communities fund.
The company is using the fund to improve services for users and neighbours of England바카라 사이트™s motorways and major A-roads, including increasing the options people have for sustainable travel.
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