Source: City of Plymouth
Mayflower Street has reopened to traffic this morning following the end of utilities and infrastructure work beneath the street as part of the Armada Way regeneration project.
Contractors have finished work to install new drainage connections as well as continue the scheme’s water feature – or rill – that will run beneath the street.
The road now also has a raised table across it. The surface has been laid with granite setts to match the rest of the scheme and being on a major bus route, has been specifically designed to take the weight of heavy vehicles.
Small granite blocks, which match the natural granite used elsewhere in the city centre, have been laid on a concrete base and framework, with a cement mortar bed. The way it has been built will ensure the crossing lasts longer, as it is less likely to crack or fail.
The path on either side of the road has a temporary tarmac surface for the time-being, with permanent paving scheduled to be carried out when the sections on either side of the road are nearer completion.
Councillor Mark Lowry, city centre champion said: “Great news: Another milestone ticked off – on time and on budget.
“We said we would reopen Mayflower Street by this date and we have. Most of the work won’t be visible as it is buried but it is essential to make this regeneration scheme a success. This part of the city centre has a very complex maze of utilities and mains underneath, so hats off to the team for getting this work completed on time.
“Once again, I’d like to thank businesses, the bus companies and their passengers for bearing with us while the contractors ensured the Armada Way project ‘crossed the road’.
Bus services that normally use Mayflower Street will be back from Monday 14 April and the shelters on the street will be cleaned before services resume.
Steve Hughes, chief executive of the Plymouth City Centre Company, said: “Our businesses will be delighted that this phase of the project has been completed on time.
“We can see the huge progress that has been made and reopening the road is another step in transforming the city centre.”