Torquay’s harbourside returns to single shuttle lane working from Monday 15 April

On Monday 15 April, the single shuttle lane, with four-way lights will be reinstated along Torquay’s harbourside.

Businesses and car parks in the area remain open and accessible as usual.

After working with local business representatives, the Strand was reopened to two-way traffic over the Easter period to support trades in the area over the first main holiday of the season.

From Monday 15 April, the reinstated single shuttle lane will remain in place for the foreseeable future, with Council officers working with the contractor to look at the possibility of having two-way traffic over the late May half-term.

Work on the project has continued as usual and is on track for completion in the autumn.

Over the next two-weeks the following works are being carried out:

• Creating a new kerb line, installing drainage gullies and laying a new surface outside of Hoopers, Prezzo and Soho. The work will also extend onto Cary Parade meaning that a section of the pathway by Soho will be closed for a brief period. Pedestrians will be diverted down Palk Street to the new Cary Parade bus hub.
• Excavating works for new tree pits and planters on the south (harbour) side.
• Installing new ducting and laying a new surface on the new Cary Parade bus stop. This work will not have an impact on bus services or passengers.

Changes are being made to the programme of works to ensure that the road closure part of the project takes place after the busy summer months. Work is also underway to have two-way traffic from late July until early September. Exact details of when two-way traffic can be reinstated will be shared closer to the time as dates are dependent on the overall programme of works the contractor is undertaking.

Our advice for motorists is:

• Beat the queues, if you can, park a bit further away and walk in, or travel by bus.
• If you are using the road (The Strand) as a driver to get from one side of town to the other, to make your journey quicker, please consider taking an alternative route particularly at peak times, or you can walk and cycle around the harbour.
• 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.

Signage is in place along arterial and main routes to the harbourside to direct visitors to the nearest car parks.

Bus routes will be unaffected by the changes, and all stops that are currently in place remain as they are. Bus stops can be found on; Cary Parade, Torwood Street and Victoria Parade (local services only).

Taxi ranks can be found on Vaughan Road (outside the Pavilion, available 24-hours a day), Victoria Parade (available 24-hours a day), Torwood Street (after 6pm daily), outside 5 Fleet Street (from 10pm on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings).

Motorists are asked not to stop in any bus stops, taxi ranks or loading bays unless permitted to do so. Misuse of these areas has an impact on traffic flow in and around the area.

The Strand public realm project which is due for completion in the autumn has been made possible after we secured £21.9million of Town Deal Funding to deliver the Torquay Town Investment Plan.

The community can stay up to date with this project and other projects happening in Torquay by signing up to the Torquay Projects newsletter.