Forder Valley Link Road (FVLR) provides the vital infrastructure needed to ignite socio-economic growth in the north of Plymouth. The scheme delivers a new one-kilometre road and bridge across the Bircham Valley, providing a second strategic connection between the congested A38 and a key economic centre with major employment sites, planned housing growth, a regional hospital and university.
Representing one of the largest infrastructure investments in Plymouth’s history, FVLR addresses congestion issues by increasing capacity and by providing an alternative route to the north of the city. The scheme caters for all modes of travel with over 6,000 metres of new or improved cycle links and footways. Strategically sited crossings support multi-modal sustainable travel.
Constructed within the newly-formed Derriford Community Park (comprising the nature reserves of Forder Valley, Bircham Valley and Seaton and Lower Bircham Valley) this scheme was built with nature in mind, encouraging and protecting wildlife while integrating biodiversity gain. A key element of the project is the improved public accessibility to this wildlife environment, where access was previously poor or absent – FVLR addresses this by giving the community a valuable natural space for health and wellbeing.
Complementing and supporting environmental successes, the project boasts some impressive engineering achievements. The new 140-metre-long road bridge, which links Forder Valley in the south to Derriford in the north, has no bearings and significantly reduced maintenance requirements- the futureproofed design offers extra width and reduced life-cycle costs. The new traffic-signalled junction at the south of the project sits 5 metres higher than at the outset of the scheme’s construction, involving complex utility diversions, careful construction sequencing and meticulous materials management to deliver the earthworks solution demanded by the scheme.
Three Winning Facts:
- Creating a new multi-modal strategic connection to enable growth, whilst building a social legacy beyond the physical infrastructure.
- Minimising environmental impacts and leaving an enhanced, accessible ecological setting for nature and the community.
- Deploying innovation and technology to promote safety, deliver value-for-money and minimise build duration.
