Gas pipe upgrade is to cause major changes to Paignton's traffic

Motorists are being advised to avoid parts of Paignton town centre as a series of roadworks spanning weeks are set to spell traffic queues.

Residents and businesses are advised that a road near the town centre is to be closed for five weeks as part of essential works by Wales and West Utilities to upgrade gas supply pipes.Cecil Road is due to be closed for safety reasons from Monday July 29 to Monday September 2 between the A3022 Torquay Road and Mill Lane.After that, the works will move to Torquay Road under traffic management in three phases due to last until November 25.

The scheme involves upgrading the gas supply pipes from metal to long-lasting plastic and then reconnecting services.

Residents and businesses directly affected by the works are being sent letters with information about the project and will be kept informed of progress.

Torbay Council says: "We have been working with Wales and West Utilities to keep disruption to a minimum.The traffic management measures are necessary to keep the community, road users and workers safe."

A signed diversion will be in place while Cecil Road is closed from Monday July 29 to Monday September 2. 

From Torquay Road, the diversion will direct vehicles onto Hyde Road, Totnes Road, King's Ash Road and Marldon Road. The diversion for the opposite direction will be along Marldon Road, King's Ash Road, Totnes Road and Torquay Road.

The council says: "Road users are advised to allow extra time for their journey or plan an alternative route if possible.The closure is during the school holidays, but access will be provided as needed to Sacred Heart School. Special arrangements will be made to ensure access at all times for Paignton fire station. 

"Businesses in the area will be open as usual and access for pedestrians will be maintained by a walkway.From September 2, the contractors will be working along Torquay Road and the surrounding roads under traffic management."

There will be three phases of the works on Torquay Road:

Phase one: Texaco Garage to Torbay School - September 2 to September 23  

Two way rolling lights

• One-way restrictions on Kings Road and Torquay Road Rear 148, entry from Torquay Road only.

Phase two: Kings Road to Manor Road – September 23 to October 14

• Three-way lights (Ancillary for light head on Oldway Mansion entrance)
• Lane closure to northbound carriageway from Sainsburys to AMS Tyres, access to be maintained for AMS Tyres.

Phase three: Manor Road to Paris Road – October 14 to  November 25

• Directional closure from Manor Road to Paris Road allowing northbound traffic to Torquay only
• Road closure on Langs Road from junction of Torquay Road to 14 Langs Road. No left turn from Langs Road onto Morin Road.
• Road closure on Upper Manor Road from junction of Torquay Road to junction of Old Torquay Road
• Two-way lights at junction of Manor Road and Torquay Road
• One-way restriction on Morin Road from junction of Paris Road to Manor Road. Parking restrictions to both sides of the road from the junction of Paris Road to Manor Road.
• One-way restriction on Paris Road from junction of Eugene Road to Morin Road. Parking restrictions to both sides of the road from the junction of Eugene Road to Morin Road.

Wales and West Utilities expects to be finished in the area by early 2025.

A team from Wales and West Utilities will be available to answer questions about the work at a drop-in session at Paignton SNU Spiritualist Church and Centre, Manor Corner, Paignton, TQ3 2HL, on Tuesday July 23, from 9.30am to 3.30pm.

Wales & West Utilities say the the £650,000 investment work will upgrade over three kilometres of pipes. They say: "The project is essential to ensure the gas is kept flowing safely to heat and power local homes and businesses, keeping people safe and warm for generations to come."