Work starts next week on a series of works along Marine Drive in Paignton to improve the environment, following a public consultation a few months ago.

Work will take place along a section of Marine Drive (near the Redcliffe Hotel) which will lead to a permanent widening and improvement of the pavement, an upgrade to an existing and installation of an additional crossing point, improvement to cycling facilities and the introduction of a 20mph zone.

These measures were outlined in our strategy to improve the environment for active travel, including in Torbay’s Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan, and improve the useability for people walking, cycling and ‘wheeling’ (that’s wheelchairs, mobility scooters, etc).

This follows a series of public consultations during this year and last year and builds on what was learned from the temporary pavement widening that was in place for a period of time in the form of temporary barriers. Most recently, a public engagement on a set of proposals covering this area earlier this year, which was carried out in partnership with Sustrans, received public support for the measures.

The first phase of the work will begin on Tuesday 3 May and will take a number of weeks. The works will be paused during the Spring/Platinum Bank Holiday and weekend period (2 – 5 June), which coincides with the English Riviera Air Show, to minimise disruption. A further phase of work to complete the measures will then be delivered later. Marine Drive will be open to traffic at all times but there will be some periods during the works where temporary traffic lights will be used.

Councillor Mike Morey, Cabinet Member for Infrastructure, Environment and Culture, said: “Improving the environment at Marine Drive has been identified in the Council’s plans for some time, which the community has supported and helped shape. I’d like to thank the local community for responding to the public engagements we have carried out, as their input has genuinely helped shape these plans.”

Leader of Torbay Council Steve Darling said: “As someone who enjoys getting out and about on my tandem, I firmly believe that delivering an environment that enables people to travel actively is an essential part of the Council’s plans to help support health and wellbeing, reduce our carbon footprint and support our local economy.”

A public engagement report, a set of detailed designs for the works and wider plans will be available on our website later this week.