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

A consultation period is underway during September, asking for feedback on the proposals.

The school and college sites have been chosen because they are on or near roads with a high level of pedestrian to vehicle conflict.

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

The latest schemes brought forward in our Road Safety Initiatives Programme are:

• All Saints Babbacombe Primary School, Torquay
• Collaton St Mary CofE Primary School
• Ellacombe CofE Academy, Torquay
• Mayfield Chestnut Centre, Brixham
• St Marychurch CofE Primary and Nursery School, Torquay
• South Devon College, Paignton

At Ellacombe and Babbacombe, advisory speed limit signs will be replaced with the new mandatory 20mph zones.

At Collaton St Mary, advisory signs are proposed on Totnes Road either side of the junction with Blagdon Road, as well as a mandatory 20mph zone in Blagdon Road.

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 at all times and can be enforced by the police.

The six new schemes follow 11 other school 20mph zones put in place following support from the community in the last two years.

Cllr Adam Billings, Cabinet Member for Pride in Place and Parking, said: "We want all residents, including our children and young people, to feel and be safe and to live well within their communities. 

"The new school 20mph zones which we have already put in place have been strongly supported by the community.

"We want to give more residents the opportunity to potentially benefit from 20mph zones around schools through this programme.

"That's why I urge people who live in these new areas and everyone involved with the schools to have their say in this consultation."

The mandatory 20mph zones around schools are in addition to other road safety initiatives in Torbay.

We have been working with the Vision Zero South West partnership to deliver road safety lessons for primary school pupils.

We have also supported the Learn2Live road scheme aimed at 16 to 19-year-olds in full-time education.

The Road Safety Initiatives Programme is being delivered by our wholly-owned company SWISCo.

Roads included in the proposed new school 20mph zones

Torquay

All Saints Babbacombe Primary School

Quinta Road, Quinta Close, part of Reddenhill Road, part of Warbro Road.

Ellacombe CofE Academy

Part of Victoria Road, part of Ellacombe Church Road, part of Hoxton Road, part of Alexandra Road, Mount Pleasant Road, Garden Road, Highbury Road, part of Windsor Road, part of Hatfield Road.

St Marychurch CofE Primary and Nursery School

Hartop Road, Petitor Road (west of A379 St Marychurch Road).

Paignton

Collaton St Mary CofE Primary School

Part of Blagdon Road. (Proposed advisory 20mph speed limit in part of Totnes Road).

South Devon College

Part of Long Road, part of Woodview Road.

Brixham

Mayfield Chestnut Centre

Part of Chestnut Drive, part of Bellever Tor Drive, Yew Close, Poplar Close, Rowan Way, Packhall Lane, Maple Road.

How to have your say on the proposals

People who live or work in Torbay can take part in the consultation which runs from Tuesday 1 September to midnight on Wednesday 30 September 2026.

There is more information including maps on a page on our website and a link to an online survey for feedback.

Maps and paper copies of the survey are available during the consultation period in Torquay, Paignton and Brixham 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 schemes.

Find out more on our website at www.torbay.gov.uk/six-new-school-20mph-zones-2026/.