The site will close on Friday 22 December 2023, with work restarting from Tuesday 2 January 2024.
During this period, where areas allow, traffic management and safety measures will be removed.
The temporary pedestrian crossings will remain in place to ensure pedestrians can continue to navigate the area safely.
Buses will operate from the existing stops from the harbourside of the Strand and Cary Parade. The temporary stop (relocated from outside of 12-14 The Strand) on Torwood Street will remain open.
All existing taxi ranks will be open and operational.
Once the site reopens in early January, traffic management measures and safety fencing will be put back in place to allow for the final phase 2 preparation works to take place. For the first part of the new year, traffic will still be able to use two lanes of the highway, before the Strand is reduced to a single lane of traffic.
From late January / early February, the Strand will be reduced to a single lane of traffic, meaning significant delays can be expected in the area, especially at peak times. A diversion route will be advertised in the new year, when motorists will be encouraged to use this route to reduce traffic pressure in and around the area. Using the diversion route from the early part of the year also means motorists are prepared and used to using the alternative route before the Strand is fully closed for 8-weeks from May 2024.
Details of all future phases of work is available on the Council’s website via: https://www.torbay.gov.uk/harbour-public-realm/
Since work on the project started in early November, the delivery team has been working closely with local businesses and transport providers. Regularly providing updates and speaking with them to manage any specific access requirements. The formation of this close working relationship has helped to ensure any issues are immediately addressed and workable solutions found. This engagement work will continue throughout the duration of the project which is due to be completed in the Autumn of 2024.
Businesses in and around the area remain open as usual. Signage has been put in place at the Strand to inform shoppers, with additional signage being added in the new year. Fleet Walk car park can be accessed from Cary Parade or Rock Road, other car parks in the area can be found at The Terrace, Meadfoot Road and Beacon Quay. Other parking locations including on-street parking can be found at: https://www.torbay.gov.uk/parking/
All motorists and delivery drivers are politely asked not to stop in any loading bays, designated taxi bays or bus stops, including temporary bus stops. Misuse of these areas causes traffic delays more widely across the area. Additionally, unless permitted to do so, vehicles should not be accessing Fleet Street. Loading and unloading information for the Strand and Fleet Street is available on the Strand project page: https://www.torbay.gov.uk/harbour-public-realm/
The Strand public realm project is the first of the Council’s regeneration projects that will bring about significant change to the town centre. The project has been made possible after the Council secured £21.9million of Town Deal Funding to deliver the Torquay Town Investment Plan.
More information on the second phase of the Strand public realm works will be issued in January.
Residents can stay up to date with this project and other projects happening in Torquay by signing up to the Torquay projects newsletter via: https://www.torbay.gov.uk/onetorbay
New Years Eve road closures
To support revellers on New Years Eve, several roads in and around the Strand will be closed between 9pm on Sunday 31 December 2023 and 4am on Monday 1 January 2024. The roads affected by the temporary closure are:
· Fleet Street, Cary Parade, The Strand, Victoria Parade and Torwood Street (between The Strand and The Terrace)
· Braddons Hill Road West (at the junction with Montpelier Road to stop traffic entering Fleet Walk)
· The Terrace (after the junction with Montpelier Road to stop traffic entering Fleet Walk).
During the New Years Eve closure a diversion route will be in place. Taxi ranks located on any of the roads affected by the closure will be unavailable. During the New Years Eve closure, a gap in the cones will be left so taxis can turn around outside Hoopers to allow to access Cary Parade.
Anyone using taxis or buses on New Years Eve is encouraged to check with individual providers regarding any service, pick up / collection changes.
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