£100,000 safety scheme for accident black spot
The plans to improve parts of Belgrave Road have been put together following six accidents in recent years, including one fatality.
But the scheme will swallow all of this year's road safety budget for the Bay.
The road from Lucius Street and Torbay Road was identified as an 'accident cluster site', in July last year.
It followed a series of accidents including the death of a 75-year-old woman and serious injuries to her 76-year-old husband after being in collision with a car.
After the fatality, hotelier Mark Jenkins, owner of the Kistor and Inglewood Hotels, called for safety measures.
He is pleased that work could now begin in November.
He said: “I could not stop smiling when I opened the letter from the council saying that they are going to put safety measures in place.
“It seems as though they are putting in all the suggestions that I had made and it is great to feel that I have been listened to.”
Mr Jenkins said that during the current consultation, he also wants to discuss reducing the speed limit to 20mph. The plans include a new zebra crossing near the junction of Chestnut Avenue, a new footway from Chestnut Avenue to the Abbey Park car park, two more crossings between Abbey Park and Bute Court Hotel and parking restrictions for better coach parking and improved visibility.
The scheme is a top priority for the council road safety team this year.
Cllr Chris Lewis, Torbay Council's Executive member for transport, said: “It has been an accident black spot and there has been a need for these safety measures.
“This is a main tourist road in Torbay and it is vital that it is safe for those who use it.
“Residents and businesses are being asked for their opinions on the scheme and I will hope that they will tell us what they think,” he said.
