A lane closure is currently in place affecting Oldway Road at the rear of Oldway Mansion. The section of Oldway Road where the lane closure is in operation is adjacent to the Carriage Rooms and the old Squash Court buildings, which form part of the Oldway Mansion Estate. 

The lane closure is necessary to protect the public from the risk of failure from the walls and masonry associated with these buildings. Urgent investigations are being carried out to assess the extent of the weathering damage to these buildings. Of particular concern is the condition of the high perimeter walls at this location. This includes the old Squash Courts, the East and West Towers and the Carriage Room.

Heras fencing has been installed along the length of the perimeter wall on the highway for public safety reasons and also enables ongoing investigations to take place safely. The fencing narrows the highway to one lane and two way traffic lights are in operation until further notice. Vehicle and pedestrian access to Oldway Mansion from Oldway Road is not affected. 

The investigations being carried out involve officers from Torbay Council’s Planning and Building Control teams, Torbay Development Agency structural engineers and a local Heritage Architect Consultancy.  The aim is to establish a suitable course of action and identify any works which are required.

Councillor Mike Morey, Cabinet Member for Infrastructure, Environment and Culture for Torbay Council, said: “These works are necessary and need to be urgently carried out. The work will be completed as quickly as possible to minimise any disruption.”

As investigation work is ongoing, it is not possible at this stage to confirm an end date for the lane closure that is currently in place.