Plan to keep Plymouth traffic moving at Christmas
The police will be on hand at the entrance to the shopping centre car park on the Saturdays leading up to Christmas – December 12 and 19 – and on Saturday January 2 to direct traffic and ensure the bus lane is kept free.
Staff in the Plymouth Transport and Highways network control centre, which controls the city's traffic signals, will also be monitoring the area on each of the days and working with the police to keep traffic moving.
Cllr Kevin Wigens, cabinet member for transport, said: "The area around Drake Circus gets very busy during the run-up to Christmas, especially at the weekend, and during the sales.
"Having a greater police presence around the shopping centre last year was really effective in keeping traffic moving and making it easier for shoppers to get in and out of the car park quickly and easily.
"We would like to remind motorists that there are also lots of other conveniently located car parks nearby including the recently refurbished Theatre Royal car park. There are also plenty of regular bus services to and from the city centre, including park and ride."
Ian Tanner, road casualty reduction officer for Devon and Cornwall Police added: "The police officers on site will be enforcing the bus lane and clearway parking regulations. If you are dropping off or picking up passengers please do so in adjacent streets and not in the bus stops.
"The bus lane is intended for buses, motorcycles and pedal cycles only. Cars should travel in and queue on the normal vehicle lanes until the bus lane markings end."
The bus lane may be enforced by a fixed penalty fine of £30.
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