Controversy over Torbay Road scheme as Councillors brand decision a 'complete fiasco'

The Torbay Road U-turn decision was not without its controversy, with people criticising not just the decision, but how it was handled.

Last week, it was announced by the Council that Torbay Road will reopen in both directions. The decision followed a long saga that began with a trial pedestrianisation zone through Paignton’s artery road in the autumn of 2022.

Traders on Torbay Road say that the pedestrianisation scheme has strangled business, costing them thousands and threatening many with bankruptcy.

However, supporters of the road closure say that it establishes a safer, pollution-free area for shoppers and constitutes an integral component of the multi-million-pound revitalisation of Paignton’s town centre.

They also argue that a semi-pedestrianisation scheme was is currently in place was effective, and that the decision to U-turn was arbitrary. 

Liberal Democrat Councillor Nigel Penny, whose ward of Roundham with Hyde includes Torbay Road, called the decision a “complete fiasco”.

He continued: “This sets Paignton backwards rather than looking forwards. In my opinion, it beggars belief after all this time, with an obvious waste of money.

“Reverting to ‘As Was’ does not help Paignton adapt to modern expectations and challenges. Yes, change can be troublesome initially. Yet we move through this interim phase from ‘this is new and strange’ to ‘this is the way we do things’, re-establishing our comfort zone.

“If we stand still, the rest of the world will not wait for us to catch up. Look at how the
Esplanade is changing. The private sector is investing, alongside well-established hotels, B&Bs and food and drink outlets and Paignton Harbour’s rejuvenation. So can Torbay Road with public sector infrastructure encouragement.

“I understand not everyone would agree with whatever option was chosen. Even partial pedestrianisation, one-way traffic, allows people not to have to step out onto the road and gives a little extra space for Traders. Begins to address the future. Yet doing nothing – particularly after all this uncertainty - does not.”

Liberal Democrat Councillor Christine Carter, who also represents the ward of Roundham with Hyde, argued that David Thomas had made decisions “behind closed doors” and was “not listening to other residents or the local councillors.”

Cllr Carter said that she only found out about the decision after being told by another councillor. She said: “Not only was that the first time I had heard of the decision being made, but others, public, traders and conservative councillors had all been told that morning or before! This is not on, as Cllr Nigel Penny and I are the councillors for the ward in which Torbay Road stands and had not been told of the decision.”

Cllr Swithin Long (Lib) said that the decision came “very much as a surprise.”

He continued: “Whilst it was discussed on Tuesday, we were under the impression that our views were being sought and we very much shared what the ward councillors Christine Carter and Nigel Penny had expressed, which was that some level of pedestrianisation should be retained.

“What wasn't clear to us was that it was going to be the final decision. that was going to be made that night. And of course, that decision was made once the cabinet was over and the live streaming was cut off, so it was very much behind closed doors with no one else present.”

Matthew Clarke, Chair of the Paignton Community Partnership criticised Council Leader Dave Thomas and Deputy Councillor Chris Lewis for making the decision unilaterally, without giving councillors and other stakeholders a chance for scrutiny.

Speaking to the pair, Matthew Clarke said: “Obviously there has been pressure on you both to honour your manifesto promise but there is considerable concern that you have overstepped your authority by making this decision without any reference to your Conservative colleagues or the Councillors who represent the ward that Torbay Road is in.”

Matthew Clarke proceeded to ask Cllr Thomas to evidence three points: The opinion data behind the decision; which meeting the decision had been made in and what discussions had been made with Stagecoach concerning the withdrawal of an open-top bus service.

He also argued that many community members had given up their time to devise methods to make a model of pedestrianisation work in the town, only to have the project reversed without their consultation: “It is very sad that you have both chosen to treat The Community Partnership and others with such contempt. We are all meant to be working together.

“You are fully aware of the many hours given freely on this project by members of our community but you chose to go public without meeting with the community to justify your decision or even corresponding by email.”

He added: “Please do not interpret that I, or others, have a particular view of what should happen in Torbay Road. The point being made is that both of you have made a decision in isolation and have shown a total lack of courtesy to your fellow councillors and The Community Partnership which you should be thoroughly ashamed of.”

Council Leader (Cons) Dave Thomas responded: “We started with a survey in probably December ’22 and then during our doorstep conversations on the run-in to the election, we had literally 1,000’s of conversations between residents and the various candidates across all of the wards in Paignton. If I was asked to estimate how the weight of feeling lay I would suggest about 60% in favour of a complete re-opening and the other 40% split between one of the other options.

“Internally (within the Council), it was important that as the administration, we consulted with the ward councillors and the other group leaders. Hence on Monday 18th March, we held a meeting with the ward councillors to understand what decision they would want to make – if the decision was in their gift.

“The ‘decision’ was communicated to Council Leaders on Wednesday 20th March by email at 10:37 by myself. An announcement had been organised for the Press in Torbay Road for 13:30.

“We can't make an omelette without breaking a few eggs – we were elected to deliver for the bay and this is part of the development and deliverability we are looking at to move the bay forward.”

nity Partnership criticised Council Leader Dave Thomas and Deputy Councillor Chris Lewis on making the decision unilaterally, without giving councillors and other stakeholders a chance for scrutiny. 

Speaking to the pair, Matthew Clarke said: “Obviously there has been pressure on you both to honour your manifesto promise but there is considerable concern that you have overstepped your authority by making this decision without any reference to your Conservative colleagues or the Councillors who represent the ward that Torbay Road is in.”

Matthew Clarke proceeded to ask Cllr Thomas to evidence three points: The opinion data behind the decision; which meeting the decision had been made in and what discussions had been made with Stagecoach concerning the withdrawal of an open top bus service. 

He also argued that many community members had given up their time to devise methods to make a model of pedestrianisation work in the town, only to have the project reversed without their consultation: “It is very sad that you have both chosen to treat The Community Partnership and others with such contempt. We are all meant to be working together. 

“You are fully aware of the many hours given freely on this project by members of our community but you chose to go public without meeting with the community to justify your decision or even corresponding by email.”

He added: “Please do not interpret that I, or others, have a particular view of what should happen in Torbay Road. The point being made is that both of you have made a decision in isolation and have shown a total lack of courtesy to your fellow councillors and The Community Partnership which you should be thoroughly ashamed of.”

Council Leader (Cons) Dave Thomas responded: “We started with a survey in probably December ’22 and then during our doorstep conversations on the run-in to the election, we had literally 1,000’s of conversations between residents and the various candidates across all of the wards in Paignton. If I was asked to estimate how the weight of feeling lay I would suggest about 60% in favour of a complete re-opening and the other 40% split between one of the other options.

“Internally (within the Council), it was important that as the administration, we consulted with the ward councillors and the other group leaders. Hence on Monday 18th March, we held a meeting with the ward councillors to understand what decision they would want to make – if the decision was in their gift.

“The ‘decision’ was communicated to Council Leaders on Wednesday 20th March by email at 10:37 by myself. An announcement had been organised for the Press in Torbay Road for 13:30.

“We can't make an omelette without breaking a few eggs – we were elected to deliver for the bay and this is part of the development and deliverability we are looking at to move the bay forward.”