Torbay prepares for 2023 season - here comes summer!

With the Easter holidays here, Torbay is gearing up for the summer season.

Behind the scenes, teams of people are working to prepare the English Riviera for annual seasonal changes.

And Torbay Council has put together a guide for residents and visitors to advise them on what is being done to make Torbay enjoyable and accessible for all this summer.

English Riviera Wheel

The English Riviera Wheel arrived in Torquay opened on Saturday, April 1. Standing 100ft tall at its location in Princess Gardens, the popular attraction provides passengers with a bird’s eye view of the English Riviera coastline with 360-degree views across Torquay harbour and beyond.

The English Riviera Wheel is open daily from 10am until 7pm, Monday to Friday, and 10am until 10pm on Saturday and Sunday.

For tickets, visit https://englishrivierawheel.co.uk/

Toilets

From last Saturday, April 1, public toilets across Torbay will be open from 8am until 9pm. Toilets are regularly cleaned but are only as clean as the last user. Anyone using the toilets are asked to leave them how they would wish to find them.

For a full list of facilities, opening times and reporting issues, visit www.torbay.gov.uk/leisure-sports-and-community/toilets/

Tor Bay Harbour Authority

Tor Bay Harbour Authority are in the process of preparing the 5kt speed markers ready for their deployment from May 1. The markers are in place to protect swimmers and small craft users.

Over the winter, new guidance has been received which relates to the misuse of Personal Water Craft (PWC) such as jet skis. Anyone who uses such equipment are advised to familiarise themselves with the new laws to avoid prosecution.

To find out more about using PWCs safely and legally on Torbay’s waters, visit www.tor-bay-harbour.co.uk/leisure/personal-watercraft-jet-skis

The beach team have been busy getting beach huts out of winter storage ready for the summer season. Some of Torbay’s beaches have beach huts that can be hired for a short time, daily and weekly.

To find out more, visit www.tor-bay-harbour.co.uk/leisure/beaches-and-coastline/visitor-beach-hut-cabin-and-chalet-hire/

Anyone using Torbay’s beaches or waters are encouraged to read important safety information to ensure all users remain safe. Find out more at www.tor-bay-harbour.co.uk/safety/

Street and beach cleaning

April signals the start of additional cleaning. Torbay’s beaches are regularly raked, the seaweed collected is taken to a nearby farm, after which it is turned into compost and reused in parks and flowerbeds.

Seasonal staff begin their employment to help keep Torbay’s town centres and seafront locations tidy. Additional bins are placed along the beach front promenades.

Grass cutting and planting

SWISCo parks and open spaces teams are currently preparing flowerbeds for Torbay’s annual flower meadow displays.

New planting schemes will also be implemented in Paignton and Meadfoot. Both schemes have been designed to suit their locations to accommodate either the harsh salt sea winds or areas that have in the past been inherent with weeds.

Across Torbay, efforts continue to improve biodiversity by linking up nature corridors, reducing herbicides, encouraging wildflowers to provide an oasis for insects, reduce CO2 emissions and trap water. These areas will be identifiable with new colourful signs.

Find out more about planting, grass cutting and the management of open spaces on www.torbay.gov.uk/leisure-sports-and-community/parks/

Dogs on beaches

From May 1 until September 30, dogs will only be allowed on certain beaches across Torbay. To find out which beaches in Torbay you can take your dog to and when, visit www.torbay.gov.uk/asb-environment-and-nuisance/dogs/dogs-on-the-beach/

All dog owners or walkers are reminded that they are responsible for the control of their pet at all times, as well as picking up after their dog to ensure all areas of Torbay remain safe and clean.

Find out more about being a responsible dog owner and reporting fouling at www.torbay.gov.uk/asb-environment-and-nuisance/dogs/

Preventing unauthorised encampments

Every year the council does all it can to prevent unauthorised encampments at various sites across Torbay. The council has already put in place several preventative measures and will be proactively visiting and monitoring these sites to discourage unauthorised access to council land.

Generally, Torbay Council become aware of encampments very quickly and deploy teams to gather information and start any legal proceedings.

The council's unauthorised encampments webpage explains the process and how encampments can be reported. Visit www.torbay.gov.uk/asb-environment-and-nuisance/encampments/

What’s on in 2023

There’s an amazing calendar of events happening across Torquay, Paignton, and Brixham from Easter until the end of the year. There’s something for everyone to enjoy and experience. Find out more at www.englishriviera.co.uk/whats-on