Tavistock Road back to 40 mph

Except for bit to protect cyclists

Businesses close to a stretch of Tavistock Road in Plymouth where the speed limit is about to be increased broadly welcome the move but say it could make it more difficult for vehicles joining from side roads.   

Plymouth City Council has agreed for the speed limit along most of the A386 Tavistock Road between Manadon and Derriford to return to 40 mph from this Friday.

A 30 mph limit was introduced between Budshead Road and Powisland Drive in 2018 on a temporary basis while work was carried out on the Derriford Transport Scheme.  

The speed reduction was later extended to include the stretch between Manadon Roundabout and Runway Road. 

However, the 40 mph limit will now be reinstated along most of this route with two exceptions. 

The short stretch between Derriford Roundabout and Runway Road will remain at 30 mph as it is a single carriageway with cycle lanes.  There are also improved pedestrian measures part of the Derriford Transport Scheme.

The only other area to remain at 30 mph is the inbound side from Derriford Roundabout to Charlton Road.

This restriction was recommended by a safety audit ahead of the planned junction improvement scheme at Charlton Road.

Noakes Habermehl & Kerr Opticians are situated on Meavy Way, leading directly onto Tavistock Road at a busy junction. 

Its general manager Andrew Medhurst said: “It feels like it is naturally a 40 stretch of road,” he said. 

But he did suggest the intersection of Meavy Way and the A386 can sometimes be dangerous. “There are a couple of roads coming off onto Tavistock Road.

“As you come round and you naturally come onto the northbound Derriford direction of Tavistock Road, there is a lane there which turns into a bus lane that can be a bit dicey at times with people coming out onto there.

“I suppose it potentially increases the chances of accidents on that particular stretch.”

But Councillor Jonathan Drean (Cons, Budshead), cabinet member for transport, said: “We have taken into account speed and collision data from before and during the 30 mph trial and, of course, the relevant safety recommendations and we are confident these changes will help to improve journey times along this route.”

New signs have been installed to reflect the changes. Crews will start to uncover them on Thursday night, ready for Friday morning.