New section of Armada Way to be opened today

VIEWS REVEALED TO SMEATON'S TOWER AND HOE MEMORIAL

- By WILLIAM TELFORD

A new fountain has already opened as part of the last reveal of Armada Way

(WILLIAM TELFORD)

ANOTHER stretch of Plymouth city centre’s Armada Way is to be opened up as part of the overall £30m regeneration. Plymouth City Council said that the newly opened area offers a “first real glimpse” of how the area is beginning to take shape.

It said the work has blended thoughtful design, green spaces and improved views to create a more inviting place to walk, rest and connect with other people. The authority said the “cluttered” 1980s design has been transformed to open up views to Smeaton’s Tower and the Naval Memorial on the Hoe.

The new look mirrors the original layout of Armada Way, but instead of lawn squares, each section has been designed to “add interest, colour, trees and foliage and places to sit’ The newly opened section has had 94 new trees planted so far.

These include 28 Himalayan Birch, 10 Ironwoods, three Silver Limes, six Cockspur Hawthorns, 10 Double Crimson Hawthorns, a London Plane, four Common Alder, 10 Magnolia Kobus, four Field Maples, eight Elm New Horizon, four Love Trees/Judas Trees, five Gingkos and a Red Maple.

All species have been selected for their ability to thrive in urban environments. Thousands of new flowering plants are bedding in as well as hundreds of metres of new hedging, 1,000sq m of wildflower and hundreds of square metres of new lawn.

Jemima Laing, deputy council leader, said: “It looks just stunning. There will be so much to see when people walk down it and with such a huge area of the city centre now open to the public again, we think this is worth celebrating.