New plan to reduce disruption during A38 works

Plymouth City Council and the Chamber of Commerce have met with the Highways Agency today to hear details of a reduced timescale for the essential works to replace the A38 Merafield Road bridge.

At yesterday's constructive meeting between the Council and the Highways Agency it was announced that the estimated duration of the work has been revised to 52 weeks from 70, with approximately just 25 of these involving contraflow and speed restrictions on the A38.

The Council raised concerns about the lane closures in July, when details emerged from the Highways Agency indicating that work to replace the bridge would take more than a year.

Council leader Tudor Evans said: “I’m really pleased that the Highways Agency has listened to our concerns and come back with a significantly reduced timescale for these essential works. Since we first found out about the expected duration of the works earlier this year, we have been working very hard behind the scenes with key partners and the Highways Agency to try and reduce any disruption to people using the A38.

“Being able to keep any disruption to a minimum has always been a priority for us and the Highways Agency. The agency’s announcement today that they will keep all six lanes of the A38 open during these essential works, except for a period of nine weeks when four lanes will be available, is very welcome.”

There will be no disruption to local traffic needing to use Merafield Road as the road will stay open throughout the course of the works. The Highways Agency has also undertaken detailed modelling of the construction works which demonstrates there will be little or no delay.

Mike Hillier, Performance Manager from the Highways Agency said: “We fully appreciate that a scheme as significant at this can raise concerns from road users and other stakeholders and  throughout the planning process we have fully focused on the need to keep disruption to a minimum and complete the work as soon as possible.

“As we have been developing  the scheme we have continually looked for opportunities to increase the number of lanes available during the work and I am delighted to say we have now achieved this by using innovative design techniques and industry best practice.

Chief Executive of Plymouth Chamber of Commerce Peter Hartland said: “We were initially extremely concerned about the effect the length of works would have on local business. The A38 eastern approach to Plymouth, along the A38, has among the highest traffic flows anywhere in the South West. Even with the existing arrangement of three lanes in each direction, this section of the A38 suffers frequently from long delays and tailbacks during peak periods so we’re delighted the Highway Agency have been able to deliver a significantly reduced timetable of works.”