Plymouth City Centre to Get New Automated Access Control System
Council invests in enhanced safety and security for Old Town Street with a permanent solution for vehicle access management.
By Verity Coombes
••3 min read
AI
Generic image of automated bollards raised on a city street.
Plymouth City Council is set to begin work later this year on installing a new automated access control system at the entrance to Old Town Street, enhancing the safety and security of the city centre.
The new system will replace temporary measures currently in place for managing vehicle access into the pedestrianised city centre. It aims to provide a more efficient and permanent solution, contributing to the protection of residents, visitors, and businesses.
Preparatory works are scheduled to commence in November, with the main installation phase taking place between January and March 2027. This project is part of the Council's ongoing efforts to foster a safe, welcoming, and accessible city centre, aligning with national guidance on public safety and hostile vehicle mitigation.
The project will be delivered in two phases. The first phase, from November until 18 December 2026, will focus on preparatory works around the entrance to Old Town Street. During this period, access arrangements will largely remain unchanged, though temporary footway restrictions may be implemented.
The second phase, starting in January 2027, involves the installation of the automated bollard system. This will necessitate temporary road closures at the entrance to Old Town Street until completion. Alternative arrangements for deliveries will be established, building on successful methods used in previous city centre improvement projects.
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"Keeping people safe is one of our most important responsibilities and this project will provide a modern, permanent solution to help manage vehicle access into one of the busiest parts of our city centre."
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"We know how important the Christmas period is for our businesses, retailers and hospitality venues, which is why we've carefully planned these works so they pause before Christmas and there will be no impact on festive shopping, events or city centre activities."
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"The main installation work will take place after Christmas and represents an important investment in the long-term safety, security and resilience of Plymouth city centre, helping ensure it remains a welcoming place for everyone who lives, works, visits and trades here."
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"Successful city centres are places where people feel safe, confident and welcome. As Plymouth continues to grow and attract investment, it's important that we have the infrastructure in place to support a thriving city centre while protecting the people who use it every day."
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"The new access control system is a sensible long-term investment that will enhance security while supporting the ongoing vitality of the city centre. It demonstrates our commitment to creating a place where businesses can thrive, visitors can enjoy all that Plymouth has to offer, and people can feel safe when spending time in the heart of the city."
Further details regarding delivery arrangements and confirmed construction dates for the main phase of works will be communicated to businesses and stakeholders before the commencement of work in January.
