Torquay harbour development will be ‘momentous’

Agatha Christie statue will be finishing touch

A new statue of Agatha Christie will provide the finishing touch to a £4 million transformation of Torquay harbourside.

The statue, currently being created by artist Elisabeth Hadley, will show the Torquay-born Queen of Crime overlooking her beloved harbour as part of a development Torbay council calls ‘momentous.’

Bbusiness owners have been given a first look at the detailed proposals, at a presentation attended by deputy council leader Chris Lewis (Con, Preston).

Work will begin almost immediately, and by this time next year the Strand will be home to a wide pedestrian boulevard, with buses banished and traffic squeezed into a single carriageway rather than the existing double.

“The whole place will be transformed,” said Cllr Lewis. “This has been on the cars for a long time, and it will make the area down by the harbour a really attractive place for residents, businesses and holidaymakers.”

Montel Civil Engineering will carry out the work in four phases, and Torbay Council is warning that the busy Strand which runs along the front of the former debenhams building will have to be closed completely for eight weeks next spring.

It says disruption will be reduced as much as possible.

Cllr Lewis went on: “It is going to create a real promenade going along to the harbour. The whole of this part of Torquay is going to be regenerated and it will be a fantastic place to visit.

“We’ve got the money, we’ve got the partner, now we just need to get on with the job.”

The project which has been made possible after the council secured £21.9million of Town Deal Funding from the government, and it is about to announce the ‘household’ name of the development partner who will help to spend it.

The phases of the work are:

Phase 1 – November to December 2023

Traffic reduced to a single lane running in both directions along the Strand.

Removal and re-construction of the central islands. This includes the removal of all traffic lights and pedestrian crossings.

Relocation of taxi ranks, bus stops, and temporary bus stops being introduced.

Contractor site compound set up on the footway outside of the Pavilion.

Phase 2 – January to May 2024

The Strand will be reduced to a single lane of traffic, traffic management measures will be in operation at the Torwood Street, Victoria Parade, and Strand junctions.

Phase 3 – May to July 2024

Full closure of the Strand to all traffic for approximately 8-weeks. Diversionary routes will be in place. During this phase the biggest changes to the road layout will be made.

Phase 4 – July to August 2024

Road closure will be lifted, and traffic will be able to pass through the Strand using the new layout.

Cary Parade will be reduced to a single lane running in both directions.

Phase 5 – September 2024

Final surfacing and finishing works including the installation of the new tribute to Agatha Christie.

Throughout all phases of work there will be access to the harbour, Victoria Parade, Fleet Walk (for permitted vehicles), and Fleet Walk car park. Pedestrian walkways and safe crossing points will also be provided. Businesses and car parks in and around the area remain open.