Hyde Road car park in Paignton will be temporarily closed from Monday 13 July to Friday 24 July to allow essential ground investigation works to take place ahead of a major redevelopment project for the town. The car park will reopen on Saturday 25 July.
The work is a key step in preparing the site for the construction of 91 extra care homes and a new day centre, which is due to begin later this year. The development will be the first major regeneration project to get underway in Paignton by the council and its regeneration partners and will provide much-needed housing and facilities for local residents.
During the temporary closure, visitors and town centre users are encouraged to use nearby alternative parking facilities, including:
· Victoria car park, including the newly opened Victoria Square car park (308 long stay spaces)
· Crown and Anchor car park (76 long stay spaces)
· Great Western (70 short stay spaces)
· Station Lane (73 long stay spaces)
· Palace Avenue (on-street parking)
· Hyde Road (on-street parking)
All are within a short walking distance of Hyde Road, Victoria Street and Palace Avenue, with some routes offering a pleasant walk through Victoria Park. On-street parking on Hyde Road will remain available and is not affected by the car park closure.
Why is the work taking place now?
The ground investigation works need to be completed to provide engineers, architects and specialist consultants with vital information about the ground conditions beneath the site. This includes soil composition, groundwater levels and other geotechnical data that will be used to design the foundations for the new buildings.
Carrying out these investigations now allows design work to continue over the coming months and helps keep the overall project on track ahead of construction starting in the autumn.
What can people expect?
The investigation works will take place between 8am and 5pm, Monday to Friday and will involve equipment including an excavator and specialist drilling rig.
While there will inevitably be some noise associated with the works, disruption is expected to be kept to a minimum. The activity largely involves controlled excavation and drilling rather than heavy demolition or impact works.
Preparing for the closure
To allow the works to commence safely and on schedule, all vehicles must be removed from Hyde Road car park by 10pm on Sunday 12 July.
Torbay Council’s Parking Services team is advising permit holders to use Victoria car park or Station Lane car park during the temporary closure period.
Motorists are encouraged to plan ahead and make use of the alternative parking options available nearby while the essential works are carried out.
Visit the council’s website to find details of all parking options in Paignton: www.torbay.gov.uk/parking/
Supporting Paignton Town Centre
The temporary closure will create some inconvenience, particularly alongside the ongoing emergency closure of Victoria Street. However, these works are an essential part of bringing forward a significant investment in Paignton’s future.
Paignton remains very much open for business and visitors; the council encourages people to plan their journeys in advance and make use of the alternative parking options available. Local businesses are also asked to help by sharing information about nearby parking with their customers.
Cllr Chris Lewis, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Place Development and Economic Growth, Torbay Council, said; “This represents a significant milestone as we move forward with the first major redevelopment project in Paignton, working in partnership with Willmott Dixon and Milligan. Undertaking these investigations at this stage will help keep the project on track, enabling the design and construction teams to progress ahead of work starting on site later this year.
“The scheme will provide high-quality extra care housing alongside a new day centre, delivering modern facilities that will support residents for generations to come. While we recognise the temporary inconvenience caused by changes to parking arrangements, these essential early works are helping us take a major step forward in the regeneration of Paignton town centre and in creating a thriving, sustainable future for the town.”
Further information about the project and construction timetable will be shared as work progresses.
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