TRADERS' pleas to open Paignton's seafront Esplanade for longer each summer could risk the beach losing its quality award because of safety, councillors have been warned.

Local businesses were up in arms when the Eastern Esplanade (pictured) was closed early on May 1 this year, before the popular BMAD Bike Festival.

Traditionally the road closed before the later Spring Bank Holiday, reopening on October 1 but the council wanted to bring the closure in line with the dates when dogs are banned from the beach.

Traders argue customers stayed away and they lost business, and so were delighted when the council reconsidered and the beach road reopened in May for five days.

But officers have told the transportation working party that if the Esplanade is opened longer it increases the potential risks of pedestrians being hit by moving vehicles.

Highways services manager Patrick Carney told the working party the introduction of parking meters on the Esplanade had been very successful.

He warned if the road closed for fewer weeks it could threaten the beach's quality awards because of safety requirements.

Wendy Lloyd, from Paignton Pier, who represented local traders, said: "We realise there are lots of children around in July and August. But once the schools go back it is a ghost town. It is doing our trade no good."

She asked for it to be closed from the end of May to when the schools go back in September.

Cllr David Butt asked that when a risk assessment of any changes is carried out that residents, visitors and local businesses are consulted.

"The beaches are crucial to Torbay and the last thing we want to do is lose a quality award," he said.

Deputy Mayor Chris Lewis backed the idea of opening in late May and closing in early September. He said they had met traders who wanted it closed only in July and August: "I can't believe we have a safety issue if it is open after that."

He suggested an independent risk assessment. He questioned spending £35,000 on traffic calming measures.

If the play area was agreed for the area near the cinema, he said they should then consider a 20mph limit, which had been suggested by officers.

After hearing that the beach award organisations would be making a decision in December, the working party agreed that a risk assessment should be carried out and a decision made by Cllr Lewis, as Cabinet member responsible for transport, with the chairman of the working party Cllr Matthew Phillips about whether traffic calming and a 20mph limit would be needed if the road was closed from late May until early September.