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PlymouthLive readers are not entirely happy to hear that a well-known bridge in Plymouth is scheduled for demolition, marking a major change in the city’s road layout.
The ‘seagull’ railway bridge on Embankment Road, infamous for ensnaring lorries, will be dismantled to improve safety, fulfilling a proposal initially made in 2021. Readers and residents have been sharing their views in our comments section.
Removing the 4.8-meter redundant bridge will enable larger HGVs to navigate the route more easily. The bridge was known to block taller vehicles, including those used by Royal Mail for access to the sorting depot on Breakwater Road, forcing them to take longer routes through Mutley or Cot Hill.
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The primary focus is on enhancing Plymouth’s Major Road Network (MRN) to improve air quality and alleviate congestion. The MRN currently experiences high traffic volumes, particularly during peak periods. Staggered construction for the project is anticipated to commence in early 2026 and conclude by Spring 2027.
Commenter AJGreen thinks: “If removing the bridge relieves the traffic in other parts of the city then that’s good news. Lengthening some slip roads on the A38 is definitely needed as some drivers need more time to look up from their phones before entering the dual carriageway.”
Billwizz replies: “However, it is unlikely to prevent many people from believing that they have the right of way when merging onto a main road.”
Petpoint agrees: “Exactly these drivers don’t stop on slip roads even when they are clearly marked to stop and join the traffic when able. Instead they just pull out making other drivers slow down. So making them longer will mean they get more speed up on the slip road, stupid waste of money!”
Stalingrad1945 is frustrated: “Oh no, not more so called improvements by PCC, wouldn’t it be better they finished those projects started many years ago and yet still remain uncompleted?”
Maggsi points out: “Back in the late 80’s traffic lights were asked for, on Embankment Road over to Lanhydrock Road, to ease congestion, enable traffic to cross the dual carriageway and allow people to get over to what is now the reserve. If it was needed then…it is definitely needed NOW!”
Plym69 asks: “What about the potholes?” RickOshay replies: “They will be part of the design so they appear a couple of years after the scheme has been completed. We can’t have a new stretch of road looking out of place.”
Doct adds jokingly: “Leave them to get worse. Over time the road will sink leaving sufficient headroom for the lorries currently unable to use the bridge.”
Timmo says: “The cycle lane which goes over it will close then? That’s progress!”
Joe123 suggests: “Perhaps a crane could lift it up, while some taller supports are put underneath it? That would solve the height problem and also keep the bridge then it could continue as a footbridge and cycle bridge. Or, at least put a smaller lighter bridge on top of the existing supports?”
OldFaithful replies: “Don’t put ideas like that into PCC heads, that’ll be another two and a half year job!”
UselessHarold points out: “They’re going to remove the railway bridge, not the cycle/pedestrian one next to it.”
Eastparky says finally: “Just get on with it!”
What do you think of the new proposals? Will traffic and congestion improve in Plymouth? Have your say in our comments section.
