Plans have been published for six new 20mph zones to improve road safety around schools in Torbay.

A consultation period starts today, Monday 16 June, asking for feedback on the proposed new speed limits.

The schools identified for this phase currently have advisory 20mph zones with flashing lights to warn motorists.

They are on or near roads with heavy traffic and a high level of pedestrian to vehicle conflict.

It is now proposed to put in mandatory 20mph speed limits in force at all times to improve road safety.

The planned zones include some surrounding residential roads which see a high volume of use by school children.

The proposed schemes in this phase of our Road Safety Initiatives Programme are:

Paignton

• Paignton Academy
• Roselands School
• Curledge Street Academy
• Preston Primary School

Torquay

• Sherwell Valley Primary School (extended scheme)
• Ilsham Church of England Academy (extended scheme)

At Sherwell Valley, the zone has been extended to include Drake Avenue and linked roads, at the request of Ward Councillors.

At Ilsham, the 20mph zone around the school has been extended on Ilsham Road to connect with an existing 20mph zone at Ilsham Marine Drive, and along Meadfoot Sea Road. This follows requests from the local community to help tackle anti-social driving in the area.

Lower vehicle speeds have been shown to improve road safety for all users, including pedestrians, by reducing the number and severity of collisions.

Slower vehicle speeds improve visibility for road users, giving drivers more time to react to pedestrians.

Other benefits of lower speeds are less noise and exhaust emissions. This improves air quality and benefits the health of everyone in the area.

School facilities are often used by adults and children outside core school hours and in the holidays.

The new permanent zones will be in operation all the time and can be enforced by the police.

Cllr Adam Billings, Torbay Council's Cabinet Member for Pride in Place and Parking, said: "We have accelerated the delivery of school 20mph zones in Torbay because we are determined to do all we can to reduce road casualties.

"I am delighted to see this next phase of 20mph zones coming forward for consultation. We want to make Torbay as safe as it can be for pedestrians and all road users, especially for children around our schools and in the surrounding residential streets.

"I encourage everyone who lives in these areas and the school communities to take part in the consultation and have your say.

"These proposals are part of our ongoing work to improve safety for everyone. It is your chance to influence how these measures are brought forward in your community."

The proposed mandatory 20mph zones around schools complement other road safety initiatives in Torbay.

Torbay Council works with the Vision Zero South West partnership to deliver road safety lessons for primary school pupils, and through the Learn2Live road scheme aimed at 16 to 19-year-olds in full-time education.

The six new schemes follow six other school 20mph zones already being implemented in Torbay this year.

New 20mph zones have also recently been introduced in Queensway, Torquay, The Strand Torquay, and the Fisher Street area of Paignton.

Details of roads included in the proposed new school 20mph zones

Paignton

Paignton Academy

Advisory 20mph limit upgraded to mandatory in Borough Road and Tor Park Road, extends in Tor Park Road past junction with Blackthorn Way and in Borough Road past junction with Longstone Road; Longstone Road, including Drake's Road and Kingsland Drive; Pennine Drive between Borough Road and Stoke Road; includes Snowdonia Close, Cambrian Close, Brecon Close, Grampian Close.

Roselands School

Advisory 20mph limit upgraded to mandatory in Roselands Drive, extends to junction with Sandtown Road and past junction with Haytor Avenue; includes Hennock Road, Porlock Way, Lulworth Close, Lynmouth Avenue, Rushlade Close, Haytor Avenue, Mena Park Close.

Curledge Street Academy

Advisory 20mph limit upgraded to mandatory in Dartmouth Road; existing mandatory 20mph limit stays in Elmsleigh Road, Grosvenor Road, Curledge Street  and Midvale Road.  

Preston Primary School

Advisory 20mph limit in Old Paignton Road upgraded to mandatory and extends to part of Roundhill Road and part of Cockington Lane.

Torquay

Sherwell Valley Primary School (extended scheme)

Advisory 20mph limit upgraded to mandatory in Hawkins Avenue, extends to junction with Upper Cockington Lane and past junction with Sherwell Valley Avenue to meet existing 20mph zone. Upper Cockington Lane towards junction with Marldon Road/Shiphay Avenue, includes junction with Courtland Road; Drake Avenue to junction with Nut Bush Lane; includes Armada Crescent, Frobisher Green.

Ilsham Church of England Academy (extended scheme)

Advisory 20mph limit outside school in Ilsham Road upgraded to mandatory; includes lane at the side of school between Babbacombe Road and Ilsham Road, St Matthias Church Road, Ashton Terrace, Cleve Terrace, Kents Lane; extends on Ilsham Road to meet existing 20mph zone at junctions with Ilsham Marine Drive; includes Meadfoot Sea Road between Ilsham Road and junction with Daddyhole Road and Hesketh Terrace.

How to have your say on the proposals

Anyone who wants to give their view can take part in the consultation which runs for three weeks from midday on Monday 16 June until midnight on Monday 7 July 2025.

There is an online survey on our website with more information including a Frequently Asked Questions section and detailed maps of the proposed 20mph zones.

This is online at https://torbaycouncil.ntropydata.co.uk/school-20mph-zones

Anyone unable to view and comment on the proposals online can find information, maps and paper copies of the survey in Torquay and Paignton libraries.

People living in the proposed 20mph zone areas will receive a letter with full details including how to give their views.

The results of this consultation will be considered before a decision is made on progressing the relevant Traffic Regulation Orders.