Originally Laira was the name given to that part of the Plym

River Plym

The River Plym is a river in Devon, England. Its source is some 450m above sea level on Dartmoor, in an upland marshy area called Plym Head. From the upper reaches which contain antiquities and mining remains the river flows roughly southwest and enters the sea near to the city of Plymouth, where...

 estuary from the Cattewater

Cattewater

The city of Plymouth, Devon, England is bounded by Dartmoor to the north, the river Tamar to the west. The open expanse of water called Plymouth Sound to the south and the river Plym to the east....

 up to Marsh Mills, Plymouth

Plymouth

Plymouth is a city and unitary authority area on the coast of Devon, England, about south-west of London. It is built between the mouths of the rivers Plym to the east and Tamar to the west, where they join Plymouth Sound...

. It is also a name used to refer to the area of Plymouth situated around the Laira Traction Maintenance Depot. Much of the housing in the area was build around 1900 for employees of the rail depot. There is a memorial plaque to the men of Laira who died in the Great War along Old Laira Road. Also situated on Old Laira Road is the old Police / Fire Station which is currently used as a Library. Laira Green Primary school is situated in the area, as well as a disused United Reformed Church.

Etymology

The area name is thought to come from the Celtic word llaeru meaning 'to ebb or grow shallow'.