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The Encyclopaedia of Plymouth History

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ROYAL PARADE

Reputedly 150ft wide and built at a cost of £180,000.  It was originally planned to have a roundabout at the junction with Armada Way but that proposal was dropped by the time road construction started on August 4th 1947. 

Royal Parade was opened in two portions, the western end, from Courtenay Street to Westwell Street by HM King George VI on October 29th 1947 and from there to St Andrew's Cross, including Derry's Cross roundabout at the western end, at 9.15am on September 27th 1948, which was considered the official opening date.  The Lord Mayor, Alderman H J Perry removed the "Road Closed" signs and drove through in the official car.   The flagpole in the centre of Derry's Cross came from Rooker's Garden in the Guildhall Square. 

An amendment to the Plan for Plymouth authorised the elimination of the roundabout proposed for the junction of Royal Parade and Armada Way. The City Engineer was authorised 'to proceed forthwith with the construction of the east/west road (ie Royal Parade), and with the layout of the road junction of the east/west and north/south axis' [PCM 4567: 2/8/1947].

Clearing and road construction started August 4th 1947 (however see Aerofilms photo dated May 1947 in Brian Moseley's "Vanishing Plymouth" indicating that clearing had already been completed) [WEH?].

The demolition of the Municipal Offices would be required 'at an early date' [PCM 5110: 15/9/1947].

Resolved that the Municipal Offices be demolished [PCM 20/10/1947].

Work on the demolition of the Municipal Offices was in progress and the City Engineer requested the removal of the City flag pole from Rooker's Garden, Guildhall Square [PCM 414: 17/11/1947].

The Ministry of Transport agreed to the flag pole being re-erected at Derry's Cross [PCM 967: 15/12/1947].

The first fatal accident in Royal Parade occurred on January 1st 1951 when Mrs Kathleen May of 19 Fairview Avenue, Laira, was in collision with a bus.  She died on the way to hospital.  [WEH].

Royal Parade in the early 1950s.

Royal Parade in the early 1950s, before Popham's
and the National Westminster Bank buildings
had been constructed at the top.  Note the lack of traffic.

Bus shelter moved from outside Guildhall down to the western end of Royal Parade near Derry's Cross, opposite the Co-op [Ph WEH 15/10/1956p1].

 

Page updated: 5 December 2004

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