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Cllr Noble

Councillor Stephens

The widening of the A386, also known as Tavistock Road, had been long anticipated by local residents. Based on the experience gained during phase one of the project, what lessons had been learned that could help ensure phase two progresses smoothly and was completed efficiently?

Response: Thank you for your question. Like yourself, I attended one of the recent information sessions at the Widewell Community Centre, where the project engagement team and City Council officers outlined how phase two of the A386 widening scheme would develop. The team reported that attendance for this phase was lower than for the initial stage, largely because residents had already experienced phase one and had seen the benefits now that it was complete. Although phase one faced delays, it was ultimately delivered under budget, and its outcomes were helping inform the approach for phase two.

A key lesson learned had been the value of maintaining strong and consistent communication with residents in and around the Widewell area. While the works caused considerable disruption, not only for local households but also for those travelling through the area, the engagement process helped ensure that many local concerns were addressed. For example, signalling and traffic?light timings were adjusted, and the traffic management arrangements, such as contraflows, were refined. Initially, cyclists were asked to dismount in a 30-mph contraflow, but following representations from the cycling community, the team agreed that cyclists could safely travel in the same direction of flow as motor vehicles. I am pleased with the responsiveness and adaptability demonstrated by the project team. It has taken many decades to reach this point, indeed, some residents who once looked forward to being able to drive more safely and conveniently through Widewell are now, forty?plus years later, nearing eligibility for their bus passes.

Nonetheless, the progress being made was welcome. Phase two was scheduled to commence shortly. I would like to extend my thanks to you and to the residents of Moor View and the surrounding areas for their patience during the works to date. Once complete, the project would deliver substantial improvements for those travelling both north and south across the city. I am also pleased that the Council is continuing to invest in transport infrastructure for the north of Plymouth.

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Cllr Dingle

Cllr Laing

I am very pleased about our bid to become the UK City of Culture 2029. Could you outline the sector engagement and community involvement that has taken place so far, as well as what further activity was planned ahead of the expression of interest deadline on 08 February?

Response: We held two sector briefings, attended by 175 people, and they proved so popular that we would be putting on a third briefing this week, for which 125 people had already signed up. There was also a waiting list. More than 50 people attended the drop?in session at Saltram yesterday, and there were two upcoming sessions: one at the Beacon  ...  view the full minutes text for item 65