Calls for new Plympton junction to speed up

Sherford was given planning approval more than ten years ago

Plympton’s independent councillors claim “insufficient progress” has been made to improve a junction of the A38 that links to Sherford.

Deep Lane serves the new town as well as a key part of the Plymouth and South Devon freeport.

They say there is a significant increase in traffic between the A38 and Sherford, where more than 1,000 new homes are now occupied, and the Langage Business Park and Energy Park which is putting pressure on the roads.

Cllr Terri Beer (Ind, Plympton Erle), whose ward borders Sherford, said “minimal investment” had been made in addressing highway infrastructure at Deep Lane leading to and from Plympton, despite promises made by Devon County Council when the new town was approved more than 10 years ago.

“Generally, Devon County Council  and South Hams District Council (the planning authority) have both allowed housing development without providing the necessary infrastructure,” she said. “You can see that with only one shop in the new town. This is disgraceful and needs an urgent review.”

The town will evenutally have 5,500 homes and 83,000 square metres of employment space.

The Plympton councillors also fear that queuing on A38 slip roads leading to Plympton is a danger and a serious accident could happen if action isn’t taken to improve the junction.

There are also long queues at peak times in Ridgeway and Sandy Road.

“The situation of queuing on and off the A38 at peak times is getting worse and affecting many local residents who live near to the Deep Lane Junction,” said Cllr Andrea Loveridge (Ind, Plympton Erle). “Many are unable to get out of their local roads because of the long queues. This must be addressed before more development is allowed to proceed.”

They claim that the approval by the county council of a £4 million pedestrian and cycle bridge over the A38 is premature as there is currently no pavement or cycle lane provision between Deep Lane and Sherford.

“Devon County Council should be investing in junction improvements for vehicles, especially the numerous lorries which use it before spending £4 million on a pedestrian and cycle bridge to nowhere,” said Cllr Sally Nicholson (Ind, Plympton St Mary).

The independent members, including leader of the group Cllr Patrick Nicholson, have held talks with Plymouth City Council leader Cllr Tudor Evans (Lab, Ham) and Cllr Mark Coker (Lab, Devonport), cabinet member for strategic planning and transport, over the issue.

The Labour councillors have agreed to feed their concerns back to National Highways and Devon County Council, which are both responsible for the Deep Lane junction.

Devon County Councillor for the area John Hart (Con, Bickleigh and Wembury) said as part of a legal agreement, a number of improvements had to be made by the time 1,300 homes are occupied at Sherford.

The county council had delivered the £8 million main road in Sherford, connecting Deep Lane and Haye Road and a £3 million Deep Lane North junction. He said the council had played a major role in unlocking growth at Sherford and Langage.

A new 500-space park and ride is due to be provided and Deep Lane South junction.

The growth of Langage is said to be integral to the Plymouth and South Devon Freeport as one of three key sites offering tax incentives to businesses and which aims to create more than 3,000  jobs.

Mr Hart said meetings had been taking place involving transport organisations about improvement options for Deep Lane.

“There has been significant changes in travel behaviour and patterns since planning permission was granted in 2013, and officers from Plymouth City Council, Devon County Council, South Hams District Council, National Highways and the rail industry have recently been engaging collaboratively about supporting growth on the A38 corridor.

“A more detailed meeting is planned to specifically consider Deep Lane junction, which will support discussions with developers who are due to deliver improvements as part of their consent”.

Cllr Patrick Nicholson (Ind, Plympton St Mary) said: “The progress made by the county council is insufficent to accommodate the significant increase in traffic to Sherford and Langage. I am pleased we have support in  raising this issue from the leader and cabinet member of Plymouth City Council .”