End date weeks away for Torquay harbourside improvement works, but a road closure is needed to complete remaining significant works.

Torbay’s first major Town Deal funded improvement scheme is just weeks away from completion. Residents and businesses are advised that a six and half week road closure is now needed to complete the remaining phases of work in time for the Bay of Lights Illumination Trail. 

From Tuesday 15 October until Friday 29 November, no traffic will be able to pass through the Strand (Fleet Street car park exit junction to Clock Tower).

Two separate road closures, totalling 10-weeks were part of the original programme of works. Working with the contractor and the local business community, the programme of works was re-phased, and the road closure elements delayed supporting Torbay’s vital visitor economy over the summer months.

The final phases have been amalgamated to recover much of the time lost on the project. Unexpected delays in earlier phases due to the discovery of utilities and a scheme redesign had added extra time onto the project.  The amalgamation also reduces the length of time the road needs to be closed to motorists and public transport providers.

We do understand there is not an ideal time to close the road, but the project has reached a critical point, and the closure is necessary to get the project finished, the contractor demobilised and the area fully open again.

Access will remain to:

• Fleet Walk car park from Cary Parade (access also available via Rock Road).
• Victoria Parade and Beacon Quay can continue to be accessed via Torwood Street, but traffic control will be in operation 24-hours a day.
• Marina car park and most on-street car parking along Torbay Road will be unaffected by the road closure.

Businesses in and around the area will remain open as usual, with motorists advised to plan their route and parking location in advance of heading to the area.

The last major pieces of work will be carried out along Cary Parade (arcade side), at the Fleet Street / Strand junction, and at the Torwood Street / Victoria Parade junction. This work will see large areas dug up, allowing for junction reconfiguration, and signal and lighting infrastructure to be installed, before final resurfacing and lining work takes place. Work will also be taking place along the central strip of the Strand.

A fully signed diversion route will be in place to guide motorists around the closure. The diversion route will include parking suspensions in some areas to help larger vehicles navigate the route. Some aspects of the diversion route (Parkhill Road) will be clearly signed that the route is not suitable for large vehicles. Instead, they should continue to use Torwood Street to access Victoria Parade and Beacon Quay.

The closure will have a significant impact on buses, as services will not be able to travel through Fleet Street or the Strand and bus stops on both sides of Cary Parade and along Fleet Street will be temporarily closed. Revised and replacement routes for all affected services operated by Stagecoach and Torbay Buses and temporary bus stop locations will be confirmed over the coming days.

Taxi passengers can continue to find taxi ranks on Vaughan Road, lower Fleet Street, Torwood Street and Victoria Parade. Advice for taxi passengers is to head to the rank that is in the direction you would like to travel in to avoid additional fares. For example, if wanting to travel towards Babbacombe, to use the ranks on either Torwood Street or Victoria Parade. If travelling towards Paignton, to use the rank on Vaughan Road.

Safe pedestrian access will be maintained throughout the closure period.

Cllr Chris Lewis, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Place Development and Economic Growth, said; “I’d like to thank the community, particularly the business community for their input and support for our first major Town Deal improvement project. We do know that at times it has been difficult and where we have been able to, we have made changes to the programme of work to minimise disruption and support businesses.

“We are now approaching the end of the project and whilst this is great news, we do now have to implement the road closure element. The road closure stretches from the exit of Fleet Walk car park on Cary Parade to the Clock Tower. Motorists can still access all car parks in the area, but they will need to ensure they enter the area from the right direction. Businesses remain open and with October half-term just weeks away, it is important that together we share that message.

“We have been able to reduce the amount of time that the road is closed from ten weeks, over two separate closures, to a single road closure period of six and half weeks.

“We must get this scheme finished in time for the Bay of Lights Illumination Trail which starts on Friday 29 November. We have a fantastic opening night planned which will be focused on the new public realm space.”

Ongoing advice for accessing the harbourside.

• All businesses and car parks are open as usual.
• Walk, cycle or travel by bus into the area where possible.
• On your approach to the harbourside, follow the signs to the nearest car park, or use on-street parking.
• 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.