New Torbay station will have no parking

Spaces removed from latest plans

Torquay’s new railway station has been given the go-ahead – despite having no car park.

On-street parking spaces near the new station at Edginswell – already in demand – will have to cope with any extra traffic the new station creates.

Torbay Council’s planning committee heard that the new station could even lead to a fall in demand for parking as people used the train to get to nearby businesses and Torbay Hospital rather than driving.

It is seven years since the committee first considered plans for the station.

The earlier version of the proposal included a 29-space car park, but that has gone from the latest plans. People will be encouraged to walk, cycle or use public transport to get to the station. And ramps in the original plans have now been replaced by lifts.

Forty-five on-street parking spaces on Newton Road are available  just outside the new station.

Dr Rodney Horder of the Torquay Neighbourhood Plan Forum said: “We would all like to see a shift away from private cars, but realistically the demand will continue for some time.”

And local resident Richard Brown said that while he supported the new station, the ramps should be reinstated as there would inevitably be times when the lifts were broken.

Committee chairman Clr Jackie Thomas (Con, Kings Ash) said: “This scheme is going to be so beneficial for our residents. It’s in a sustainable location and it supports our economy.”

And Cllr Nick Pentney (Lib Dem, Tormohun) added: “There are some concerns around parking and access, but they are not enough to warrant turning this down.”

Torbay Council will now set out its case for government funding for the new station.