Morgan Sindall Construction's South West team has officially handed over the £4.6 million Royal Parade Improvement Scheme to Plymouth City Council.

The project, procured via the SCAPE Construction Framework, transforms one of the city's most critical transport corridors, which handles over 100 bus services every hour and nine million passenger journeys annually.

To celebrate the milestone, representatives from Morgan Sindall, Plymouth City Council, and Citybus gathered on 2 March at the Memory Matters Hub. The project team left a social legacy by volunteering their time to renovate the hub's Moments Café, a space providing vital support for those living with dementia.

The upgrade focused on reducing congestion and improving interchange reliability. Key technical features include:

• Increased Capacity: A new shallow sawtooth layout increased the number of bus stops from 12 to 15, preventing "double stacking" and improving manoeuvrability.

• Upgraded Facilities: Fifteen new bus shelters with improved seating and accessibility have been installed. These will feature "green roofs" to be cultivated this spring.

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• Structural Repairs: Extensive work addressed deteriorating historic concrete slabs beneath the road surface. Full-depth reconstruction was completed during overnight closures to prevent daytime disruption.

• Public Realm Improvements: Worn surfaces were replaced with high-quality modular granite paving. The project also included an upgraded toucan crossing at Armada Way and a new average speed camera system.

The scheme is a central piece of Plymouth's wider city centre regeneration, which includes the revitalisation of Old Town Street, New George Street, and Civic Square. With nearly 25% of local households lacking access to a private vehicle, the improvements are vital for encouraging a shift toward sustainable public transport.

Councillor John Stephens, Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Transport, said: "This is a hugely important project for Plymouth as it's designed to make going by bus a more attractive option. Royal Parade certainly looks a lot better already. There are fewer buses stacked one behind the other and there are more and bigger shelters."

Community Impact and Social Value

Beyond the physical build, Morgan Sindall delivered significant social value, including:

• Educational Outreach: Carbon literacy sessions for primary pupils and site visits for university students.

• Skills Development: Numerous work experience placements and a dedicated "Work Taster Day" for secondary students.

• Strategic Collaboration: Working closely with local businesses to ensure they remained open and accessible throughout the construction period.

Graham Kingdon, Area Director for Morgan Sindall in the South West, added: "By using our expertise to strengthen the underlying infrastructure and enhance the layout and facilities, we've created a more reliable, accessible, and future-proof transport hub for Plymouth."