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Impressive new look unveiled for Plymouth’s Armada Way
MEMBER NEWS NEWS FOR & FROM MEMBERS OF DEVON & PLYMOUTH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Long-awaited plans to make Armada Way a better place are moving up a gear with the appointment of contractors Morgan Sindall to carry out the pre-construction design.
The dated and piecemeal landscaping will be going and in its place will be a new urban park over kilometre long, lined on either side by an avenue of trees.
The aim is to create a more impressive route from North Cross roundabout through the city centre and a clear visual link to the sea, which was the original ambition of Armada Way. It is part of an ongoing programme designed to address years of under-investment in city centre streets and spaces.
As well as restoring the view to create a more impressive and grand welcome into the city centre, new features will appear including play and mixed-use games areas for all ages, improved and centralised crossing at Mayflower Street to enhance north-south connectivity, and a new running water feature with sustainable drainage and biodiversity at its heart.
The new look for Armada Way will also take into account the prospect of climate change with the introduction of plants and trees that are more resilient to an urban environment.
Beneath the ground there will be a new ‘Sustainable Urban Drainage’ (SUDs) system that will form part of a wider strategic network in the city centre.
The system includes ‘rain gardens’ and swales which integrate the drainage system with the new planting to make the best use of surface water.
Construction materials have been selected for long-term robustness and durability and the intention is to reuse some of the existing materials from Armada Way, including the original granite kerbs and setts, to reduce the carbon footprint of hard surfacing.
NEW FUTURES PROGRAMME
TO HELP PEOPLE IN DEVON TO RETRAIN
Devon has been chosen as one of five pilot areas across the UK to trial schemes to help people who need to reskill as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic.
The New Futures programme, led by Learning and Work Institute with funding from the COVID-19 Support Fund, is developing locally-led solutions to tackle retraining challenges.
Devon County Council has initially been working on its pilot with Teign Housing, National Careers Service (NCS) and Learn Devon. As well as providing information, advice, guidance, mentoring and employment support to more than 800 people, the initiative will also provide training in construction and retrofit industries to around 240 people.
The pilot will focus on establishing a skilled workforce to meet employer needs across both Housing Association and the general construction sector, supporting the transition to netzero carbon emissions.
Following the initial trial with Teign Housing, the scheme is being rolled out throughout Devon to include other housing associations and local organisations, such as jobs centres, who can refer people they’re supporting onto the scheme. Delivery will also be offered through other training providers.
Cllr Rufus Gilbert, Cabinet Member for Economic Recovery and Skills, said: “We’re proud to be one of five pilot areas across the United Kingdom to support workers to reskill following the pandemic. New Futures is enabling us to provide people with the support they need to re-train or find opportunities for a new career.
“A number of sectors have suffered since the pandemic which means that many people are looking to change careers. It’s critical that workers are supported to retrain to ensure they can take advantage of future job opportunities.
“Our pilot will focus on the construction and retrofit sectors which not only offers the prospect of filling skills gaps and needs in those industries but also complements our commitment to reduce carbon emissions.”
More information is available here: www.skillslaunchpad.org. uk/new-futures
