Visitors heading to this weekend’s English Riviera Airshow are being urged to allow extra travel time and carefully plan their journeys following emergency road closures in Paignton town centre.
The hugely popular event returns to Paignton seafront from Friday 29 May to Sunday 31 May and is expected to attract thousands of spectators for three days of aerial displays, entertainment, food stalls and live music.
While the Airshow itself is going ahead as planned, Torbay Council says emergency closures linked to falling masonry on Victoria Street will significantly affect access routes and traffic around the town throughout the weekend.
Organisers are encouraging visitors to familiarise themselves with updated travel arrangements before setting off.
Councillor Jackie Thomas, Torbay Council’s Cabinet Member for Events, Tourism, Culture and Corporate Services, said:
“We’re very much looking forward to welcoming everyone to this year’s event. Please allow plenty of time to reach the Event Village, make sure you know your route in advance, and plan how you’re getting there.
“We know it is going to be busy across all parts of the highways network; patience is going to be key. Our advice is clear — plan ahead, leave plenty of time to make your journey and please follow any directional signage to avoid further delays.”
Additional Road Closures in Place
Due to the continued closure of Victoria Street, vehicles will not be able to enter Hyde Road from the Torquay Road junction from 2pm on Friday.
A signed diversion route will direct traffic via Cecil Road and Colley End Road, with additional congestion expected around Kings Ash Road and the Tweenaway junction.
Motorists travelling to Brixham or to pre-booked parking at Victoria, Victoria Square, Roundham and Quay West are advised to use the Ring Road unless arriving before the closures begin.
Parking Changes and Advice
Only visitors with pre-booked parking are advised to drive into the main event area, with limited town centre parking expected to be available for shoppers.
Drivers with Hyde Road car park bookings have been automatically reassigned to alternative locations due to the emergency closure affecting exit routes. Visitors are advised to check their emails before travelling for updated parking information and revised postcodes.
Short-stay shoppers not attending the Airshow are being directed to Station Lane car park behind Paignton Library, although spaces are expected to be limited.
Public Transport Encouraged
Organisers are strongly encouraging people to travel by train, bus, bike or on foot wherever possible to ease congestion.
Train services into Paignton are operating normally, although stations and services are expected to be extremely busy throughout the weekend.
A managed queuing system will operate at Paignton railway station to help passengers move safely through the station during peak times.
Bus services will also be affected by the Victoria Street closure.
Stagecoach passengers travelling from Torquay are being advised to leave services at Eugene Road, Manor Corner or Victoria Park and walk to the seafront to avoid delays.
Additional buses between Torquay and Paignton will terminate at Victoria Park during the event.
Meanwhile, Torbay Buses services 108 and 109 will terminate at Victoria Park rather than Paignton Bus Station, while Service 25 will operate on a revised route.
Walk, Cycle or Stay Later
Visitors are also being encouraged to walk or cycle where possible, with free secure cycle parking available at Parkfield House in Paignton.
For those driving from Torquay, organisers suggest parking at Torre Valley car park and walking the two-mile coastal route into Paignton.
After the flying displays finish on Friday and Saturday evenings, the Event Village will remain open until 10.30pm with live entertainment, bars and food vendors continuing into the night.
Organisers say staying later could help visitors avoid the busiest queues and traffic immediately after the displays end.
The English Riviera Airshow has become one of the South West’s biggest free events since launching in 2016, combining military and civilian flying displays with a packed programme of entertainment on the ground.
More information, including full road closure details and travel advice, can be found on the English Riviera Airshow website.
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