Ten key changes are proposed to the final design for Armada Way, following one of the biggest listening exercises the Council has ever undertaken, enabling the scheme to move forward to the next milestone. Following extensive review of the feedback received through the survey, written submissions and interviews with key stakeholders, the Council is proposing 10 amendments within the final scheme design, which will be scrutinised by the Growth and Infrastructure Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 22 January 2024. These changes include: <li>Retention of two extra existing trees – T007 Cockspur Thorn and T118 – Hybrid Whitebeam which can now be accommodated following changes to the design in their respective locations. This now results in only four trees being translocated from Armada Way to The Park. This responds to the desire of some environmental groups and a large number of individuals who requested that more of the existing trees are retained in their current location to retain canopy cover or fears relating to risk of survival, and or cost of translocating trees</li><li>Some tree species selection has been modified. This includes changing the proposed single ‘Tree of Heaven’ to a London Plane tree. </li><li>The final design includes an increased amount of accessible green space which is beyond that of the design of the scheme which was consulted on. </li><li>Removal of two east-west pedestrian footpaths to reduce conflict of two separate paths crossing the cycle way at the point of chicane. This will make the space safer for both pedestrians and cyclists.</li><li>Changing of the colour of the granite denoting the cycle way to a dark pink hue to provide a strong visual differentiation to the other pedestrian areas. </li><li>The new scheme will include a considerable amount of extra cycle parking in the form of stands and cycle hoops onto lamp columns.</li><li>Further changes will be made to the pedestrian and cycle wayfinding to enable the cycle way and its use to be very clearly demarcated. This is in addition to the already proposed wayfinding monoliths and in-ground way markers but will include other pedestrian level markers and directional infrastructure. This will make the space safer for pedestrians and cyclists.</li><li>The final scheme includes for the addition of a minimum of one drinking water station on Armada Way which will help reduce the use of single plastics and align with Plymouth’s Plan for Plastics. In addition, fewer plastic bottles could also reduce city centre littering.</li><li>An increased amount of seating has been added to the play village area to ensure that there is enough seating opportunity for parents and carers whose children want to use the facilities. A variety of seating with high backs and arm rests is being added in response to requests from older people</li><li>Defibrillator(s) will be installed on Armada Way. There are currently a number of defibrillators across the wider city centre area, but none on Armada Way directly.</li> The report has been published <a href="https://democracy.plymouth.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?MId=10805&amp;x=1">here </a>- including information about the consultation and feedback. Hard copies of the reports will be available from Tuesday in Central Library on Armada Way, until the committee meeting. To read the full press release from Plymouth City Council, go to: <a href="https://www.plymouth.gov.uk/council-listens-feedback-final-design-armada-way">Council listens to feedback in final design of Armada Way</a>

Council listens to feedback in final design of Armada Way

New proposals for Armada Way will be thoroughly scrutinised through the Council’s democratic processes before any final decision on the design is made. To ensure full scrutiny and consideration of the proposals, the future of Armada Way will be considered by a special meeting of the Growth and Infrastructure Overview and Scrutiny Committee before being discussed by Cabinet ahead of a final decision on the scheme. The completion of a six-week consultation was undertaken this autumn by ECF, independent engagement specialists. ECF have been analysing all the feedback. This has been compiled into a report which has now been submitted to the Council. Officers and members will consider all the views and review the design in light of the feedback. On 22 January, the Growth and Infrastructure Overview and Scrutiny Committee will scrutinise a raft of materials – including the feedback raised in the consultation and the Council’s response to each of the key themes raised. This includes any amends and adjustments made to the scheme as a result. The views and any recommendations from this cross-party Committee, will then be presented to Cabinet on 5 February for consideration. At a subsequent Cabinet meeting on 19 February, the final scheme will be presented, which will include consideration of the recommendations from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, and a final decision will be made. Reports will be published in advance of all meetings and sessions will be broadcast live online. Anyone wanting to make representations at the meetings can see the process to do so <a href="https://www.plymouth.gov.uk/get-involved">here</a>. The Let’s Talk Armada Way website will stay live throughout this process and you can still <a href="https://letstalkarmadaway.commonplace.is/">sign-up to receive updates</a>on the website to make sure you are kept in the loop. To read the full press release from Plymouth City Council, go to: <a href="https://www.plymouth.gov.uk/armada-way-future-will-be-fully-scrutinised-new-year">Armada Way future will be fully scrutinised in New Year</a><a href="https://www.plymouth.gov.uk/armada-way-future-will-be-fully-scrutinised-new-year"></a>

Armada Way future will be fully scrutinised in New Year

There are just five days left to <a href="https://letstalkarmadaway.commonplace.is/">have your say</a> in the consultation on the proposals for Armada Way. Over the past six weeks, hundreds of people have been having their say on the designs that aim to create a greener, safer and more family friendly city centre – bringing life back to the heart of Plymouth. The proposed designs: <li>Recapture the scale and grandeur of Armada Way </li><li>Include more trees and greenery </li><li>Include a huge destination play village for families </li><li>Will help wildlife and nature </li><li>Works smartly to deal with the city’s rainwater </li><li>Has improved safety for all </li><li>Has more places to sit, relax and eat </li><li>Includes a new cycling path for people of all abilities </li><li>Has plenty of pop-up spaces with water and power </li> If you are yet to <a href="https://letstalkarmadaway.commonplace.is/">have your say</a>, you have until 5pm on the 28 November 2023. Hear other people’s views about the Armada Way proposals: <li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m88MLRqrmeo&amp;t=1s">Councillor Tudor Evans</a></li><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tSAvmDv4Z8&amp;t=21s">James Mackenzie Blackman – CEO Theatre Royal Plymouth</a></li><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-J7mGfew7JI">Adam King – Landscape Architect YGS Environmental Consultants</a></li><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVaSN5zD_SY&amp;t=2s">Chris Robinson – Local historian</a></li><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUT3b87ksP0">SuDs scheme explainer</a></li><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fLZGjHx8qU">View from local businesses</a></li> To read the full press release from Plymouth City Council, go to: <a href="https://www.plymouth.gov.uk/one-week-countdown-armada-way-consultation">One week countdown for Armada Way Consultation</a> <a href="https://www.plymouth.gov.uk/one-week-countdown-armada-way-consultation"></a>To see the proposals and have your say online, go to: <a href="https://letstalkarmadaway.commonplace.is/">Let&#39;s Talk Armada Way</a>

Five days to go for Armada Way consultation

Welcome to the online hub for the Let’s Talk Armada Way consultation, which is being delivered by a company called ECF on behalf of Plymouth City Council. This site contains all the information you will need to get involved and set out how you can feed back during the consultation period. 
The survey will remain open until Tuesday 28 November 2023.