Council apologizes for major delays on A386 Tavistock Road due to roadwork, causing frustration and impacting daily commutes.
Traffic is very slow in both directions, especially during morning and evening commutes. Cars are backed up to Crapstone, a town on Dartmoor. Accidents and road rage incidents have occurred, with people feeling stressed due to the delays.
Plymouth City Council is aware of the issue and has apologized for the problem. The pedestrian crossing at the Woolwell roundabout is a significant cause of trouble. Engineers are working to fix it, closely monitoring the traffic flows.
Mark Binley, a local resident, emphasizes the traffic as a major problem affecting local drivers. He believes something must be done to address the situation. Traffic frequently stops at the Belliver roundabout, with queues extending past Hessary Drive, adding over 20 minutes to travel times.
Residents from Yelverton also face long waits, particularly in the mornings and evenings. Cars queue back to Crapstone, leading to stressed residents returning home. The idling vehicles further contribute to pollution in the area.
To avoid the 25-minute car park wait, people park in Belliver and walk to Tesco. They cross the A386 using the footbridge. Unfortunately, this roadwork is planned to continue for eight months.
Residents frequently express their complaints on social media, highlighting the impact on their mental health. Accidents and road rage incidents are becoming more common, affecting school attendance and causing bus delays due to congestion.
In September, traffic was rerouted, banning right turns at Woolwell Road near the Tesco Extra roundabout. Initially, traffic flowed better as Plymouth drivers used the Belliver roundabout.
However, in February, changes restricted cars leaving Woolswell Crescent easily, creating “chaos” according to one resident. Diversion routes can now take over 20 minutes, potentially an hour to exit the industrial estate.
Woolwell residents face increasing difficulties, wasting time and fuel stuck in needless traffic. Reopening the roundabout fully could alleviate the issues. Previous work took longer than expected, raising concerns about project delays.
Council leader Tudor Evans acknowledges the problem, stating the scheme will ultimately benefit the city with positive long-term results. He understands people are frustrated by the current issues and has apologized for the inconvenience.
The traffic system had existing issues before, particularly around Christmas at Belliver. Existing road lengths were extended to reduce traffic jams. However, the recent changes have worsened traffic near Belliver and on Tavistock Road.
The council has teams on-site today checking the situation and attempting to improve traffic flows. Engineers believe the pedestrian crossing is a major factor and are adjusting the timing of the lights, hoping to improve traffic flow.
They will continue to monitor the situation and make changes over the next few weeks. The council expresses gratitude to drivers for their patience. The roadwork is underway to enhance traffic conditions in the long run.
The Woolwell to The George project, planned for years, aims to address a significant traffic bottleneck. It aims to provide better transport links to the north of Plymouth. The city anticipates building 4,400 new homes, with Woolwell gaining 2,000.
The first phase started on September 11, focusing on reducing congestion between Woolwell and The George. The second phase involves replacing the roundabout with a signalized junction and widening Tavistock Road.
Phase 3 will expand the park-and-ride area, providing more parking spaces. The entire project has a budget of £45 million. The government has already contributed £24.9 million from two different funds supporting city development.