Members of the Cabinet have asked that consideration is given to how existing 20 mph zones could be extended into neighbourhoods around schools that face significant risk between students and highway traffic.

If introduced, the scheme would see enforceable 20mph speed limits being introduced on arterial routes or distributor roads outside these schools. Previously 20mph speed limits have only been enforceable where there is appropriate highways engineering, or it has been only advisory.

Leader of Torbay Council Cllr Steve Darling said “A number of our schools are on either arterial or distributor roads and we need to give serious consideration to reducing speeds at these locations as a matter of course. We think that, by making the wider areas around these schools 20mph, we will see better habits being developed by drivers across Torbay.”

Deputy Leader of Torbay Council Cllr Darren Cowell went onto say “Two schools that immediately come to mind in Torquay that could benefit from this are St Cuthbert Mayne and Torquay Academy. There are many more throughout the bay that need serious consideration. We want to have a consultation with the community to begin to explore these options and allow people to shape any emerging schemes.”

The Transport and Parking Working Party are being asked to consider whether schemes could be developed around the following schools:

• Hayes School (Totnes Road & St Michael’s Road) (Hayes Road already has permanent 20 zone)
• Cockington School (Avenue Road & Mill Lane areas)
• Sacred Heart School (Cecil Road area)
• Barton Academy (Barton Hill Road)
• Torquay Academy (Barton Road & Cricketfield Road areas)
• St Cuthbert Mayne (Teignmouth Road & Westhill Road areas) (could include St Margarets and Homelands Schools)

A second phase of the programme could include:

• Roselands Primary School (Roselands Drive area)
• White Rock Primary School (Davies Avenue/Gibson Road areas)
• Sherwell Valley Primary School (Upper Cockington Lane/Drake Avenue/Hawkins Avenue areas)
• Curledge Street Primary School (will be included within the proposed Fisher Street zone but consideration to expanding zone into Dartmouth Road area)
• Ilsham Primary School (Ilsham Road and Babbacombe Road areas)
• Eden Park Primary School (in quiet residential area, no 20 limit in place)
• St Margaret Clitherow School (in quiet residential area, no 20 limit in place)
• Chestnut Primary School (in quiet residential areas, no 20 limit in place)

The Transport and Parking Working Party will meet to discuss this on 22 February 2023 with consultation on the proposals due to take place after the Local Elections in May 2023.

Find out more about the meeting taking place on 22 February. 

Cllr Steve Darling, Leader of the Council and Cllr Darren Cowell, Deputy Leader are pictured with Jennie the dog outside of Torquay Academy.