Latest news with #MarkLowry
BBC News
2 days ago
- Politics
- BBC News
First phase of £30m Plymouth's Armada Way revamp project to open
The first phase of a £30m regeneration project in Plymouth will open next to redevelop Armada Way sparked controversy in March 2023 when the then Conservative-run council ordered more than 100 trees to be cut down at night for the scheme was halted following an outcry from residents but was put back on track last year at more than double its original cost, and is to feature 169 new trees, a play area the size of five tennis courts, new walkways, cycle paths, seating and pop-up event project was moving "at pace" and within budget, city centre champion councillor Mark Lowry told the authority's cabinet on Monday. 'Very positive' Zone 1, from North Cross to Mayflower Street, which started last October, is almost finished and includes 10 extra trees lining each side of the performance three zones, along the boulevard which leads to the Hoe, are expected to be complete by June next said: "We do get caught up in trees for obvious reasons with this project and we wish it didn't start where it did. But we are moving on at pace, there is a very professional team up there now, and they have learnt from the hardship of doing Old Town Street and New George Street."The council's regeneration and placemaking manager, Martin Ivatt, said there was a "total change" in how people responded to the scheme since the other streets had been finished."It's gone from more adversarial to very friendly and very positive," he said. The new trees on Armada Way include 30 to 40-year-old magnolias, field maple, ginkgo and elm, which are resistant to Dutch elm disease; and Persian ironwoods, which change colour in autumn and have coloured is 1,000 sq m of wildflower turf in the first zone and 15,000 herbaceous perennials will be in place once it is will be granite and an ornamental rill will water the trees at night, and planned 'rain gardens' are part of a drainage system to stop bridges are to connect walkways with shops to stop interruption to them while work goes on underground.
BBC News
22-04-2025
- Business
- BBC News
New Plymouth traffic restrictions ‘prioritise pedestrians'
A city centre shopping area is being pedestrianised with the introduction of traffic City Council (PCC) said a traffic regulation order would be in place for Old Town Street and New George Street from 28 order will restrict the times delivery drivers are able to operate in the area, only allow drivers with permits during the day and introduce a no waiting and no loading Mark Lowry said: "This order makes it clear that the safety of pedestrians and shoppers are the top priority.' 'Good news for businesses' Deliveries will only be permitted between 04:00 and 08:00 BST seven days a will only be allowed between 08:00 and 18:00 BST, and 20:00 BST on Thursdays, if the driver has a permit issued by the council. The no loading and no waiting restriction will apply to the entire city centre pedestrian Hughes, chief executive of the Plymouth City Centre Company, said: "It [the traffic order] will help us to make the city centre livelier and develop the evening and night-time economy, so will be good news for our businesses."PCC said it is an experimental order with an open 18-month consultation period, meaning arrangements can be "tweaked" if necessary.
