Two lanes of traffic will be flowing along Torquay’s harbourside between Friday 19 July and Sunday 8 September to support businesses, traders and visitors.

The temporary removal of the four-way traffic lights will mean two lanes (one in each direction) will be reinstated to help residents and visitors get quicker access to the area over the busiest summer months.

The six-week school summer holiday is one of the English Riviera’s most popular times to visit as thousands flock to the area for day trips and short breaks.

Work on the harbourside regeneration project will continue as normal. Over the next couple of months work will be focused on the south (harbour) side of the Strand.

Our project team has had to make some amendments to the design of the south side after essential utilities were identified in an area that was originally marked for underground tree pits. The revised design now sees the line of trees moved closer to the kerb line which has necessitated that cycling provision is now incorporated into the main carriageway. Cyclists will have access points at either end of the Strand to safely join the carriageway, which will be a dedicated 20mph zone.

The construction of the tree pits and subterranean crate system for the tree roots, will then allow for London Plane trees to be carefully lifted in and new paving to be laid. Above ground planters will also start to take shape and will feature plants that complement nearby areas along Torquay’s seafront.

The iconic Mallock Clocktower which stands proudly at the Strand will be incorporated into the completed scheme. Surrounded by seating with views across the enhanced public space and inner harbour, the clock at the top of the tower is also set to be repaired. Council officers have organised for the clock mechanism to be updated to an automated system, adding a finishing touch to the scheme which is due to be completed later this year.

Public transport users are already benefitting from aspects of the project. The new bus hub at Cary Parade has recently been resurfaced and seating for waiting passengers is due to be installed imminently. To further improve bus users experience, a new access way from the bus hub through to Cary Green is going to be created. This will open up the area, making a more accessible and safer route through to the harbourside and shopping areas.

Taxi users, now have the choice to use one of four taxi ranks in the area. 24-hour ranks are available on Torwood Street, Vaughan Road, Victoria Parade and the lower part of Fleet Street. Some rank arrangements are on a temporary basis for the duration of the works, but if they prove successful, they could be made permanent in the future.

As the project progresses over the coming weeks, regular visitors to the harbourside will start to see more areas open to them. The contractor is working to get pedestrian access along parts of the south side open as soon as possible.

The project team is constantly reviewing the phasing of work and where possible making adaptations to suit the changing environment. At the end of the summer, it is anticipated that work will start at the Torwood Street / Strand junction and bus hub outside the arcades at Cary Parade. Some of this work will require the road to be closed for a period of time, the exact timings will be determined over the next couple of months.

Cllr Chris Lewis, Cabinet Member for Place Development and Economic Growth for Torbay Council; said; “At the start of the year when officers started working closely with the harbourside business community they gave reassurance that where possible they would get two-way traffic reinstated over the area’s busiest periods.

“Since the project entered the second phase of works, which is the most complex of all the phases, with the support of the contractor we have been able to get two-way traffic in operation to support the local economy.

“We do know that some people have been frustrated at times when having to queue to access the area. We’d like to thank everyone for their ongoing patience, we promise the end result will be worth it!”.

Ongoing advice for accessing the harbourside.

• All businesses and car parks are open as usual.
• Beat the queues, if you can, follow the signs to the nearest car park, walk in or travel by bus.
• If you just use the area (at peak times) to get from one end of town to the other, to make your journey quicker, consider taking an alternative route.
• If travelling from the sea front / Paignton direction, use Shedden Hill or Fleet Walk car parks.
• If travelling from Babbacombe, use Harbour, Beacon Quay or Meadfoot Road car parks.

The Strand public realm project is the first of three major Torquay harbourside regeneration projects that have been made possible after we secured £21.9million of Town Deal Funding to deliver the Torquay Town Investment Plan.