New off-road path network

Work has started on a new, 5.6km off-road path network within the Bircham, Forder and Seaton Valleys.   

It will start in the green space between Tailyour Road and Hunter Close in Crownhill and finish at Forder Valley Road, near the entrance of Poole Farm, giving access to the nearby Forder and Bircham Valley Local Nature Reserves and previously inaccessible greenspace along the Seaton valley. 

The scheme is funded by the Transforming Cities Fund and is part of the wider Derriford Community Park project, which will see 147 hectares of wooded valleys, wildflower meadows and rivers around Poole Farm opened to the public. 

Cllr Mark Coker, Plymouth council cabinet member for strategic transport and infrastructure, said: ‘This is a fantastic scheme because it finally gives the people who have lived next to or near this wonderful green strip access to it for the first time. 

‘It also makes a cycling commute from Forder Valley to Crownhill safer and more easily accessible and compliments the overall strategy of the Forder Valley Link Road.’  

The scheme will provide a high-quality surfaced route while preserving the woodland character and trees, ensuring the route follows existing openings and gaps in the foliage.  

Despite this, 43 trees – generally those in poor health - will be removed, although trees of highest environmental value will be retained.  

In mitigation, more trees will be planted than were lost and habitat improvements will be added. 

All footpaths in the area will remain open during construction, which should be complete by September.