The work to enhance Queen Street and make it safer for shoppers and residents is moving forward well and Queen Street continues to be open for shoppers and visitors to the area.
The first loading bay, located outside of Poundland, is now installed, and construction of the second loading bay outside The Richard Hopkins (Wetherspoons) pub, is well underway.
A temporary footway surface is in place with temporary ramps leading to and from any significant surface level changes. The final footway surface coat, between Warrens Bakery to The Richard Hopkins, is programmed to start early next month, and once in place will provide a constant level across the full width of the footway.
Work to widen the southern footway of Queen Street at a further two locations is also underway ahead of schedule, from Coast and Country Estate Agents into Devon Square and from St Joseph’s Catholic Church into St Paul’s Road, meaning all improvements are well on schedule for completion by the end of November.
Other work including the proposed zebra crossing are still on track to begin in November.
Information boards have been installed throughout the area to keep everyone informed and remind people that Queen Street is open for business.
During phase three (August – September), contractors will be working on the north side of Queen Street between Courtenay Street and Albany Street. Pedestrians will continue to be able to walk along Queen Street as usual to visit shops and businesses.
Queen Street road closure from 11 August
For the phase three works, a road closure will be in place to widen and resurface the footway. There will be a well-marked diversion in place. Local businesses will receive a letter reminding them about this road closure.
After these works have been completed, the road closure will be replaced by a pedestrian and cycle zone covering the section of Queen Street between the west of Albany Street and Courtenay Street. Traffic will be restricted to disabled permit holders, local buses, taxis, cycles, HGVs over 7.5t and loading. All other visiting traffic accessing Queen Street will be routed north on Albany Street when leaving Queen Street.
Bus routes will be temporarily diverted during the closure.
For more information or to sign up to the Queen Street newsletter please visit the Devon County Council webpage.