PTP respond to MRN consultation

Plymouth Tree People has submitted a formal response to the public consultation on the proposed Major Road Network changes.

You can find details of the scheme here. 

The deadline for comments via the online survey is March20th.

Here is our full submission:

This is Plymouth Tree People’s (PTP’s) response to the initial consultation on proposals for upgrading Plymouth’s Major Road Network (MRN). Its trustees are grateful for the presentation given by the MRN project team to the Plan for Trees steering group in February and for the site visit to Blagdon’s Meadow on 13th March.
 

As a charity that helps others plant, care and learn about trees, PTP always wants built environments to be designed in ways that are scenically attractive and contribute to sustainability. This is because experience and numerous studies show that such places are more prosperous and the people using them have better health outcomes. Landscapes and the use of trees within them are therefore highly important considerations, and journeys along the MRN will often provide people’s first impressions of Plymouth.

We would also wish to emphasise that Plymouth’s recently adopted Plan for Nature and People has an aim to increase tree canopy cover. Amongst other initiatives, this will include planting another 1,000 individual urban trees by 2030 with a range of innovative schemes to return street trees to neighbourhoods across the city. It means that any tree removals will need to be fully offset by the planting and establishing of new trees close to the affected sites.

St Budeaux Bypass
We note the efforts to retain high-value trees and have no objections to the current proposals whilst awaiting more detailed plans which should include mitigation planting. Nearer the time, it would be useful to consider how retained trees might be given the best possible chance of survival as they may not readily adapt to the changed exposure and ground conditions, something which has been seen in similar situations.
 

Embankment Road
We support the option to have segregated foot and cycle paths through the Blagdon Meadow section, with the flood-defence wall on the estuary side of the pedestrian path. Where paths might impact on the root zones of high-value trees, design solutions for their retention should be closely investigated, which could include pinch points such as those being considered for other reasons.

We understand the need to remove the strip of seedling trees above the estuary bank along the section between the existing flood wall and the rowing club but the current proposals do not come close to mitigating that loss. Instead, we feel strongly that the existing grass verge next to the road should be retained at its present width and planted with trees as a continuation of the street scene in the road’s southerly section. The slightly increased cost of maintenance should not be regarded as a valid reason against this.

We understand the issues involved with building the flood-defence wall into the existing cemented estuary bank but believe the pros and cons of such an option deserve further investigation and explanation. If unfeasible, we would support the proposal to cantilever the path over the bank in order to provide the required 5-metre width. If the weight of a masonry flood wall would be too great, the option for an all-glass wall should be considered. 

We note that gaps have started to appear in the existing groups of trees on Blagdon Meadow and believe a programme of succession planting should be instituted. These trees offer a valuable buffer to the noise and pollution from the road for walkers in Blagdon Meadow. Similarly, where spaces have appeared in the lime avenue, these should be considered for replacement.

Marsh Mills
We will await further details on the Marsh Mills proposals before commenting.
 

Thank you again for the information provided and this opportunity to comment.
Penny Tarrant
Chair
Plymouth Tree People