Exclusion zone traffic a 'complete mess'

Traffic management near an apartment block deemed at risk of collapse has been "nothing short of a disaster", according to a business owner.

A 27m (88.5ft) exclusion zone has been set up around Evolution Cove, in Durnford Street, Plymouth, after a fire service review said the building was structurally unsafe.

Following a virtual meeting held by Plymouth City Council to address concerns, Ryan Marsland - owner of The Fig Tree @36 - said nobody was taking responsibility and traffic management had become a "complete mess".

The council said it was aware of issues including a large vehicle getting stuck and would have staff manning traffic lights from 07:00 until 19:00 BST.

Marsland said his business had lost thousands of pounds since the exclusion zone was set up.

He said there was not a lot the council could do about the Evolution Cove building itself as it was owned by Grey GR, who did not attend Tuesday's meeting.

Marsland said the meeting ended up having businesses offering the council "ideas" rather than officials coming up with solutions.

"I wouldn't say it's of the council's making, but I don't think it's been handled in the best way possible," Marsland added.

"Unfortunately, the building owners weren't on the meeting which I think is a bit of a mistake, personally."

The council said local businesses were invited to attend the meeting to share concerns, which included traffic management.

In a Facebook post, the council said it had been made aware of an incident which involved a large vehicle becoming stuck at the site on Wednesday which led to all lights having to be put on red, causing traffic to build up as a result.

"This has now been resolved but we accept we are still having issues which is distressing for businesses and residents trying to get in and out of the peninsula," the council said.

"We have now deployed staff on site from 07:00 until 19:00 to manually operate the lights.

"We are working on additional measures to help improve the traffic flows."

The council said visitors were being directed to Stonehouse Creek car park and that it was talking to Citybus about restoring services to the area as soon as possible.

The authority also said it was talking to Princess Yachts about the possibility of allowing public access to its car park at the top of Durnford Street, and was exploring whether a temporary access route through Millbay Port could be created.

Cracking in the basement justified the current safety measures, the authority said, adding that it was pushing for temporary propping to be installed which would allow the exclusion zone to be lifted.

A spokesperson for building owner Grey GR said: "When residents were told to leave the building on 20 March, Grey GR estimated it would take eight weeks before they could return.

"This estimate is still in place and returning to the building before the prohibition notice is lifted is a criminal offence.

"Grey GR continues to be in regular contact with the council and local fire services."

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