Giant palm tree will be part of the new gateway to Torbay

“To most arriving here it will just be "another tree on a roundabout" the fact that it is lit up is only relevant if you arrive in the dark. How many visitors do?

When I was a kid going on holiday I knew I had arrived when I saw the sea, I don't think I would have been very excited by a tree in the middle of a roundabout.”

“I agree nickw.

It will become one of those "we've arrived landmarks!" I remember going on holiday as a kid and when you'd been to the same place more than once you would remember certain landmarks on the way there, and you knew you were getting closer and it won't be long now! The excitement would build as you noticed things that you could remember were very close to where you were going and then there would be a certain landmark that told you that you were there now! Always the happiest moment of the journey, at that moment us kids would have our heads sticking up against the glass taking everything in, we were on holiday!

I think that in years to come this palm will be the "we've arrived" landmark for the Riviera, and what an amazing place this must be to have something so special there as you drive in! It will becoming one of those things that gets imprinted into peoples minds, people won't forget a sight like that in the UK and will mention it to others, and as the years go by it will only grow taller and become more impressive.”

“Tourism in Torquay declines year on year. First impressions count. If this is the first thing people see when they enter the bay, an impressive Palm Tree representing the bay then it's a VERY good idea and a great starting place for the vision of a tourist-rich area. Whether you like tourists or not, it's what fuels a large amount of the economy.

"Use the £20k to reduce parking fees" - what by like 1p? Split among the tens of thousands of people parking across Torbay every month I doubt £20k would go far.

People need to stop looking at scrutinising the minor details and look at the bigger picture. This is a key milestone in regenerating tourism in the area and seeing businesses open again, hotels filling vacancies and putting Torbay back on the map.”

“Hope they put sign to indicate when you are actually entering Torquay, the one just before the roundabout says English Riviera.
Torquay must be the only town in the UK that doesnt have one, its fine for the locals but visitors must be pretty unsure where they actually are .”

“I live in Brixham, and am 17 on Sunday, and all i wish to say is that i find it mind-boggling that "our" mayor has chosen to spend £20K on....a...a palm tree? It pains me even to type it, let alone say it! Most incredibly blind and short-sighted decision ever made by the "adults" of our council.

The mayor's quote was "We are proud of our three towns and we want to show it and give a good impression that we care". Then why not spend the money on finally making a decision about Shoalstone Pool's future, or helping the towns of Torbay (as mentioned above) with free parking spaces. Adding Palm Trees does nothing! I'm sure the argument will be that they are more willing to return if they are left with an image of a 6 Foot Palm Tree in their mind - WRONG i'm afraid. The ONLY things that make people return somewhere, are the activities they can engage in there, the quality of the retail units and/or entertainment establishments, the food, or the outstanding facilities that we all know Torbay has (in bucket fulls). So stop wasting time, effort and money on posing for press shots with a 6 foot tree, and stop acting as if a giant plant in Torbay is going to bring people back to the area on a second visit. It's rubbish, and you know it!”

“Actually it's all starting to look a bit like a remake of the film "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World".”

“I thought the South Devon Relief Road would more or less see this roundabout have no consequence, what a waste of money, when there is none about, where does Oliver come up with such a ridiculous ideas, the surrounding fields are going to built on.

I saw no consultation on this, it is like having BYE back.

I drove by yesterday and wondered what the digging was about, now I know.

What a complete waste of money this and the relief road are.”

“Torbay Council must have a lot of cash to spare - firstly erecting that unsightly big wheel which completely spoils the look of Torquay harbour, and now a 20K palm tree! Why dont they just leave a beautiful area alone and spend the money on helping those who need it in the area? All these gimmicks are so unnecessary!”

“If we can have a £20,000 palm tree, then I expect a Christmas tree this Christmas at Castle Circus to 'Welcome to Visits and Shoppers to the Town'. Even if it costs £60, there can be no excusses now. End of. And if you want a Christmas tree that saves money, then plant one there - then you only need to worry about decorating it each year.”

“major road chaos ,ripping out of shrubbery ,better to have just stuck up a sign "abandon hope all ye who enter".”