Sensors aim to improve city's future travel plans

Sensors are being installed in parts of a city to help gather traffic data could help plan future transport projects, council bosses said.

Plymouth City Council (PCC) said the sensors would be used to count exact types of vehicles passing through along with the number of cyclists and pedestrians heading in and out of the area.

PCC said the sensors would be more cost effective due to being mounted on lighting columns and traffic signal poles as opposed to the old sensors which were underground.

Councillor John Stephens, cabinet member for strategic planning and transport, said the data would be used to understand "travel patterns and our network as best as we can to improve journeys for everyone".

He said: "The more accurate and detailed our travel data is, the better we can be at planning future transport improvements in the city.

"These sensors don't just capture more information, they are also much easier and less disruptive to install and cheaper to maintain."

Stephens added the sensors would not be "collecting any data to identify individual road users or their vehicles".

The sensors will be initially installed on Alma Road, Bretonside, Exeter Street, Laira Bridge Road, two on Plymouth Road, St Budeaux Bypass and at Western Approach.

PCC said work was expected to take place mid to late-January and said some short lane closures could be needed for safety reasons while sensors were fitted.

Follow BBC Devon on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected].