Work is due to start next week on the third and final phase of the highway improvements as part of the regeneration of Fleet Street, Torquay.

The scheme, which is being funded by Central Government capital funding, as part of the council’s Local Transport Plan, will involve the removal of the remaining areas of original block paving and street furniture over the whole width of the street and laying new granite kerbs, slabs and blocks on the new footway areas, with the running lane being fully reconstructed. New drainage and gullies for the footways and carriageway will also be installed along with new street furniture. The works should take six months and are due to be completed by the end of June 2018.

In order to carry out the initial carriageway reconstruction works, Fleet Street will be closed from the GPO roundabout to the junction with Swan Street for eight weeks from Monday 8 January 2018. This will enable the carriageway to be reconstructed and for new kerbs to be laid. During this time the bus companies will be running their services on alternative routes.

Executive Lead for Community Services, Robert Excell said. “I am pleased to see the third and final phase of the Fleet Street Regeneration scheme getting underway, which will complete this major investment into this part of Torquay Town Centre.

“The original pedestrian priority scheme in Fleet Street was implemented around 28 years ago and the block paving had reached the end of its life, resulting in constant maintenance costs and promoting a poor image of the Town. The previous two phases have already demonstrated an improved street scene and this theme will now be continued along the full length of Fleet Street.

“Unfortunately, as with all works of this nature there will be disruption to businesses and pedestrians. However, as demonstrated in the previous two phases, this can be managed to allow the street to continue to trade and we are liaising with the bus operators to arrange alternative provisions during this time.”