Major work starts to improve Plymouth's Charles Cross roundabout

Major work has begun to improve the traffic flow around Charles Cross roundabout in Plymouth.

The £2 million scheme aims to reduce delays by creating more space for all vehicles and make the crossings better for pedestrians and cyclists.

Works are expected to finish by the end of the year.

The long awaited scheme has started with the setup of site offices on Hampton Street before main works on the roundabout start.

Charles Cross roundabout is one of the city’s busiest junctions and is on the route for the majority of the city’s buses.

It is hoped that the completed scheme will reduce delays by creating more space on the roundabout for all vehicles, whilst making crossings friendlier for pedestrians and cyclists.

The first steps

Initial works will involve setting up the site offices. This will be on Hampton Street, outside of Charles Cross police station, and will mean that Hampton Street will only be open northbound for the entirety of the works. Access from Constantine Street onto Hampton Street will also be closed. Diversion routes will be clearly indicated.

Then from Wednesday 13 February, the taxi rank on the southbound side of Charles Street will be closed for the duration of the scheme to allow for the building of a new lane onto the roundabout.

The bus stop on Charles Street southbound will be temporarily removed until mid-April when it will be relocated slightly north of its current location. An off-peak lane closure, between 9.30am and 3.30pm will also be needed to accommodate this part of the scheme.

The bus lane that leads from Exeter Street onto the roundabout will also be closed from Thursday 7 February.