Paignton car park closure marks start of Crossways redevelopment

Images show how the new Crossways development in Paignton could look | PRP Architects/Torbay Council

placeholder image — Images show how the new Crossways development in Paignton could look | PRP Architects/Torbay Council

The car park will close at 6am on Monday, November 2, as contractors begin pre-construction work on the former Crossways Shopping Centre, which will be turned into extra care housing and community facilities.

Drivers in Paignton face town centre parking disruption next month as the Hyde Road car park is scheduled to shut to make way for a major multi-million-pound regeneration scheme.

Motorists are being warned to find alternative spaces from 6am on Monday, November 2, when barrier gates go down for the final time to allow heavy machinery and site hoarding to move in.

The closure is expected to affect visitors and shoppers who use the car park, with drivers being urged to plan ahead.

Alternative long-stay parking is available at Victoria, Station Lane and Crown and Anchor Way, while Great Western car park offers stays of up to three hours.

Additional parking spaces were introduced at the Victoria Centre earlier this summer in preparation for the closure.

Once the car park has closed, contractors will begin installing site hoarding and carrying out enabling works and preparations for construction, as well as essential works from utility providers.

This initial phase is expected to continue until Spring 2027.

The former shopping centre is set to become 91 extra-care apartments, communal areas and a café.

A purpose-built day centre will also be constructed to replace the existing facility at Hollacombe.

The development is expected to be completed by the end of 2029, with the first residents anticipated to move into their new homes in early 2030.

Torbay Council’s deputy leader, Cllr Chris Lewis, acknowledged the disruption to local shoppers but insisted the closure was an “important step” for the Bay, adding: “This project has been years in the making and marks the point where people can see regeneration becoming a reality.”

However, full completion remains years away, with the first residents not expected to move in until early 2030 while final funding bids are assembled for Homes England.

The Crossways project is being delivered through the Torbay Regeneration Partnership, a joint venture between Torbay Council and property companies Wilmott Dixon and Milligan.

Further details about the construction programme are expected to be released as the project progresses.