Torbay Council have said that the public consultation shows “overwhelming” support for full pedestrianisation of Torbay Road.
Following the consultation on three proposed options, over 60% of the 640 respondents selected full pedestrianisation of Torbay Road as their preferred choice.
The outcome of the consultation now allows for the design team to move forward with developing advanced designs for Torbay Road and adjoining Station Square.
As part of this process, the designs will incorporate feedback received from the public through the consultation process, together with ongoing engagement with key stakeholders.
More than 2,600 comments were received as part of the consultation process which ran between Monday 7 and Sunday 27 February 2022.
Recognising that Torbay Road and Station Square are important for Paignton they are two of the locations where investment is proposed as part of the Future High Street Fund programme. With work intended to begin later this year the Council sought views from the community to inform the design. Creating a better looking and more inviting space for pedestrians, introducing more trees and planting and offering space for alfresco dining and drinking were some of the top reasons why the public opted for full pedestrianisation.
Over the coming weeks further design development, cost assessments and stakeholder engagement will be taking place. The feedback from conversations with transport operators, businesses and other users of the space will also further inform the design of this project as well as considering impacts and mitigations around the wider transport network and place making objectives.
Following this latest period of stakeholder engagement, the design team will further develop and produce detailed design proposals. The proposals will be presented to and discussed with key community representatives in early April.
To fully understand the implications of full pedestrianisation of Torbay Road, discussions are underway to implement a trial of the scheme. As part of the trial, the majority of vehicles will be restricted from using Torbay Road. Service, residential and emergency access will be retained. If the trial is given the green light, businesses, organisations and community groups will be encouraged to make best use of the space through events and activities. Further details on the trial will be available in due course and will include details of traffic diversion routes.
Cllr Swithin Long, Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration, Tourism and Housing for Torbay Council, said; “I’d like to thank everyone who took the time to get involved and have their say on the future of Torbay Road. This feedback is essential to allow us to now move forward with developing more detailed designs – taking into account what businesses and the public want to see in the space.
“The Torbay Road and Station Square scheme is just one of several spaces in Paignton Town Centre set to benefit from enhancements, after more than £13million of Future High Street Funding was secured by the Council in December 2020.
“Community representatives have been instrumental in the development of the plans for the future of Paignton. Together we are committed to ensuring the much-needed regeneration of Paignton town centre is coming to life.
“Upon completion of the improvement works which are expected to start later in the year, residents and visitors can expect to see and experience a safer, cleaner and greener space. There will also be opportunities for businesses to create a vibrant café culture and space for pop up events and festivals.”
Find out more about the work underway to regenerate to Torbay via www.torbay.gov.uk/spacestothrive
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