Torbay’s MP, Kevin Foster, has today (Thursday 5th January 2023) welcomed news the Lib Dem/Independent Coalition running Torbay Council is poised to make a U-turn on the closure of Torbay Road.
Since the road was closed as part of a trial pedestrianisation by Torbay Council in September, traders on the road have reported custom being down significantly compared to a similar period in 2019. The trial was initially indicated as being in place for at least 6 months.
Just before Christmas a request for an urgent review of the closure from Opposition Conservative Councillors was declined by the Council’s Lib Dem Leadership. Yet a decision is now expected to be taken next week on a significant change which would alter the arrangements and re-open part of the road (Partial Pedestrianisation as Torbay Council refers to it).
Given the reported impact on traders it makes sense to re-open at least part of the road immediately and Torbay’s MP will be calling on the Council to implement this change rapidly. This would still allow some of the changes sought from pedestrianisation to go ahead, for example wider pavements, but without cutting out the vital ease of access many businesses on the road need to survive.
Kevin Foster MP said: “I welcome this U-turn by Torbay Council’s Leadership and would urge them to engage with and listen to traders for the rest of the planned pilot. Given the severe impact on businesses of this trial it is right to immediately make changes and at least partially re-open Torbay Road, restoring the vital ease of access to their premises many businesses depend on to survive.”
He added:
“The millions of pounds made available by the Government to support the regeneration of Paignton Town Centre is a chance for a once in a generation boost and to reverse previous years of decline, but decisions at a local level on projects must be taken in partnership with local people and businesses to ensure long term success.”
