Work to begin on improving Plymouth bus services

The council says the scheme will take about nine months, beginning on Monday 7 July

Work to improve bus services in Plymouth will begin next month, the council has said.

Plymouth City Council (PCC) said the Royal Parade bus improvement scheme aimed to reduce congestion and improve reliability by increasing its number of bus stops on the shop side of the city centre.

The local authority said the scheme would reduce delays, cut queues and help make going by bus "more attractive" than opting for a private car.

Councillor John Stephens said it was part of the council's ambition to encourage people to make greener travel choices.

He said: "Plymouth needs to improve bus services to make it easier for everyone to get to work, school, shops and businesses, friends or family.

"Nearly 25% of households in Plymouth do not have a car and with the city's population expected to grow, improving sustainable travel choices is vital to keeping the city moving."

The scheme will take about nine months to be carried out, and will begin on 7 July.

All bus stops on the shop side of Royal Parade between Courtenay Street and St Andrews Cross roundabout will be closed and temporary stops will be made available in alternative locations across the city centre.

The eastbound side of Royal Parade will also be reduced to one lane for all vehicles.

"We realise there is going to be some upheaval for a time for passengers, but please bear with us as the long-term gain will be better bus journeys," Mr Stephens added.

The scheme is set to cost about £7.4m overall, funded by the Department for Transport's Transforming Cities Fund and Bus Grant, Historic England's Heritage Action Zone funding and the Council's Better Places funding.