Cllr David Thomas: Conference shows a problem shared is a problem halved

This is a yearly event that offers leaders and senior representatives of councils from across the whole country the opportunity to meet and learn from each other together with a range of public sector bodies, charities, and business. These types of events are a wonderful opportunity to see and learn first-hand how other local authorities are improving their services and tackling the local issues that affect us all. It is amazing really that although we occasionally feel the problems, we face in Torbay are unique, they often are not and being able to talk with other council leaders who have experienced similar issues will occasionally help us unlock the problem in a hugely different way.
The conference is also a fantastic opportunity to listen and engage directly with cabinet members from His Majesty’s Government together with leading figures from the opposition benches, this week for example we were able to ask questions of the Levelling up Secretary Michael Gove and the Deputy Leader of the Labour party Angela Rayner.
Back home in the Bay, ensuring our children, young people and residents are informed and protected around road safety is a manifesto commitment and we have been looking at how we can improve areas, particularly around schools. According to research by Brake, The Road Safety Charity, 64 per cent of parents say their school doesn’t have a 20mph speed limit, 36 per cent don’t walk their child to school because the roads are too busy and 25 per cent say it is because the traffic is too fast. We want to do something about these statistics to ensure journeys to school are safer.
We are currently working through the detail of introducing 20mph zones around Queensway in Torquay and Fisher Street in Paignton. Residents living in and around these areas will soon be asked to share their views on the proposals with their feedback being used as part of the final decision-making process.
With the school summer holiday’s just around the corner, we have also started to work with local primary schools across Torbay to deliver important road safety messages. During specially designed lesson plans and workshops being delivered through the Torbay Arts in Schools Network we’re getting young people to think about their journeys to school and what hazards they need to be aware of – whether it is things they do or see other road users doing.
In an innovative move they will then develop a road safety story or skit to perform in front of their peers highlighting risks and the outcomes of not having road safety awareness. With an increase of vehicles and pedestrians on our highways network over the summer months, we want everyone to remain safe, take extra care, and not take unnecessary risks. Finally, remember to be aware of your own responsibilities – regardless of how you get about. 
A Traffic Order has also come into force to create the first permanent School Street in Torbay. This safety measure was trialled at Curledge Street in Paignton during the Covid pandemic in September 2020, as the Curledge Street Academy has buildings on both sides of the road which has narrow pavements. A traffic ban was trialled to improve safety at drop-off and pick-up times.
After the success of the trial, and following consultation, a new permanent Traffic Order came into force at the beginning of the month. It bans vehicles from entering Curledge Street from Midvale Road and travelling westwards past the school between 8.15am and 9.15am, and between 2.45pm and 3.45pm. Cycling is allowed and there is an exemption for emergency services.
This new Pedestrian and Cycle Zone not only improves road safety outside the school during the busy times, it also encourages more walking and cycling trips. New signage notifying motorists of the road closure times is being placed at the start of the zone near the junction at the approach from Midvale Road, with another marking the end of the restriction on Curledge Street.
Until next week, Stay safe.