Exhibition on St Michaels Traffic Action Zone proposals in Paignton

Exhibition on St Michaels Traffic Action Zone proposals in Paignton

A two-day consultation event is being held in Paignton (on September 2–3) to give people a chance to give their views on proposals for a new Traffic Action Zone.

The council has secured £200,000 central government funding as part of the Local Transport Plan for the St Michaels Traffic Action Zone (TAZ) in Paignton.

The local community is being encouraged to become involved with the re-design of their streets to reduce vehicle speeds, provide safer and better access to the schools, shops and local services within the TAZ.

These works may entail improvements in highways safety, traffic calming, signing, lining, parking, pedestrian safety, cycling and links to public transport.

The council sent out 2,400 questionnaires to gauge local opinions on highway problems in the area, and it received more than 200 responses. Now, the council has drawn up a list of proposed works, and will stage the consultation event in the Beesley Room at Clennon Valley Leisure Centre on Friday 2 and Saturday 3 September, from 10am-4pm both days.

Following a good response from the recent questionnaire, the council has identified a number of possible schemes, which it is examining in more detail and drawing up proposals.

1: Fisher Street/Sunbury Road – realign the junction to reduce the chance of turning vehicles striking the Torbay Inn public house.

2: St Michaels Road between Ebeneza Road and Elmbank Road – possible traffic calming, footway and lining works to improve pedestrian access, visibility and reduce vehicle speeds.

3: St Michaels Road/York Road junction - possible traffic calming, footway and lining works to improve pedestrian access, visibility and reduce vehicle speeds.

4: Totnes Road – upgrade the existing zebra pedestrian crossing in the vicinity of the junction with Elmbank Road.

The proposals also include improving the bus stop infrastructure, pedestrian signing within the area of the zone and formalising the areas of on-street car parking by the use of bay markings and access lines.

Cllr Robert Excell said: "We are grateful to all those who responded to the first consultation, and now we would encourage people to attend the consultation event so they can study the proposals and give us their feedback.

"The more comments we receive the better, as these will greatly assist the People (Communities) Policy Development Group (Transport) when councillors consider the proposals and recommend whether the scheme should be progressed to implementation."

If the Development Group supports the proposals, it is anticipated that construction work will get underway during the autumn, with completion before the end of March next year. 

Geograph image by Richard Dorrell.