News courtesy of Kevin Foster
Pothole Repairs on the Way
After the winter weather and storms potholes have become a real pain, but there was some good news this week.
Torbay Council has received £336,225 from the Government (Department for Transport) to assist in repairing the damage done by the weather to our roads, and is targeting this money on repairing potholes in areas which have been seen to suffer from the weather.
In most cases these are the local estate roads and minor country lanes that are less frequently used by traffic. The council’s dedicated Streetscene Inspectors continue to scrutinise the roads on their individual beats for any defects that need attention, but if you know of a pothole that needs attention it is easy to report.
The dedicated pothole reporting tool on the council website is the best way to report a defect. You can find it at: https://forms.torbay.gov.uk/highways The site makes use of a user-friendly mapping system with a drop-down menu. This means that the information recorded gives the inspector a map of the reported problem on a hand-held device, which is more accurate than verbally reporting and saves giving a lengthy explanation of the exact location of the issue you are concerned about.
Torbay Scores high For Beach Awards
If you like a regular swim in the sea there was good news this week as it was announced that Torbay now holds second place for the total number of beaches given beach awards by Keep Britain Tidy.
Keep Britain Tidy announced the winners of the 2014 Blue Flag and Seaside Awards. Nationally 168 beaches received an award with 56 beaches gaining the Blue Flag and 112 picking up the Seaside Award. Of these, four blue flag beaches are in Torbay, and ten beaches in Torbay got Seaside Awards, details are as follows:
Blue Flag beaches: Breakwater Beach, Broadsands Beach, Meadfoot Beach, Oddicombe Beach.
Seaside Awards: Breakwater Beach, Broadsands Beach, Meadfoot Beach, Oddicombe Beach, Maidencombe Beach, Goodrington Beach, Paignton Beach, Preston Beach, Torre Abbey Sands, Anstey’s Cove.
The water quality at all award winning beaches meets the required European Standards, and the water quality at the Blue Flag beaches exceeds these standards.
As mentioned in a previous update, a project to build a very large storage tank in the ground under the old Balloon site near Torre Abbey Sands will help improve water quality further by ensuring storm water does not result in discharge into the sea.
Lincombe Wood’s Project Stirs Debate
It is safe to say the proposal for cycle tracks through Lincombe Woods has attracted a lot of interest from local residents, many of whom are concerned about the potential impact on the environment.
The level of concern was evident by the very high turnout at the Wellswood & Torwood Community Partnership meeting. It is clear that many residents are opposed to what is being suggested.
The plan being put forward by the council, together with ecological and feasibility reports are available online at www.torbay.gov.uk/lincombewoods
Torquay Town Centre Masterplan Exhibition
An exhibition was held this week at Torquay Library to get residents’ views on the emerging Masterplans for Torquay and Edginswell (Torquay Gateway).
If you could not make the exhibition then do not worry as you can also see the emerging Masterplanning work on the Council’s website at www.torbay.gov.uk/masterplans , plus submit your comments online. Comments made at the exhibition and online will help inform the final masterplans which will be completed this summer.
For those interested in the Masterplan for Paignton Town Centre the online survey on that can be found at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/32VCHYX
The closing date for comments on this survey is Monday 2 June 2014.
Sparkling Silver for The Bay
The English Riviera Tourism Company (ERTC) and its partners celebrated a prestigious win at the national VisitEngland Awards for Excellence, winning silver for Visitor Information Provider of the Year.
The ERTC team fought off stiff competition from across the country, including London, to take the award.
Wetland Project Underway
Real progress is being made to create an accessible wetland area in Victoria Park, Paignton.
The plan follows many years of hard work by the Friends of Victoria Park to enhance the planting and their successful Easter Extravanganza and Teddy Bears Picnic events. The events were thankfully more successful than my duck which got stuck in some bushes in the race they organised down the stream!
The Wetland project has recently got the support of Torbay Council with Cllr Stephen Brooksbank taking the initiative with a meeting on site with deputy mayor David Thomas and the council engineer. They are 100% behind the project as are The Paignton Bid who are keen to make every trip to the town an enjoyable experience.
Paignton Town Community Partnership vice chair Richard Kaskow has prepared a design and made a model to bring the idea to life. Working with the existing plants and animals which are already there is fundamental to the project
The Chair of the Group, Cllr Bobby Davies, advises that you can find out more on their Facebook site https://www.facebook.com/groups/victoriapark/
Can You Help Catch the Preston Beach hit Arsonist?
Preston’s Iconic Beach Huts were sadly the victim of arsonists this week who set fire to some of them causing significant damage.
Two fire engines were needed to bring the fire under control and some owners lost all the possessions they had in their beach hut due to the fire.
The incident happened early on Wednesday (21st May) Morning and passers-by alerted the fire Brigade at 02:10am. A group of youths were also seen kicking in doors and throwing paint into huts. Police are currently looking at CCTV which shows the group breaking into the huts and starting a fire using one of the owners’ portable stoves.
If you have any information that may help the Police then call them on their non-emergency 101 number.
This Week’s Events
There will be a lot happening across the bay for the Bank Holiday and a few key events below. As always you will find more details of things to do on the English Riviera website by clicking here:
1. Aqua Adrenaline Tour, 24 – 26 May
Aqua Adrenaline 2014 features The British Raceboat Championship, Zapcat Racing Series and a host of other highlights. Come down to the waterfront in Torquay 10am-5pm. The Race Event site is located at Haldon Pier. There will be catering, trade stands and activities to enjoy on Princess Gardens.
http://www.englishriviera.co.uk/whats-on/aqua-adrenaline-tour-torquay-p1683973
2. Powerboat Racing, 23 – 26 May
For high-octane delights, Torbay Classic Offshore Powerboat Racing (OCRDA) will bring excitement and glamour in its wake.See the boats and meet the crews at Haldon Pier.
http://www.englishriviera.co.uk/whats-on/ocrda-powerboat-racing-p1218873
3. Geopark Festival, 24 – 30 May
Celebrate The English Riviera UNESCO-recognised Global Geopark at this year’s Geopark Festival. There’s a range of events all week that can help you enjoy, explore and experience all of the different aspects of the Geopark including kayaking, fossil hunts, geology and wildlife walks, rockpool safaris, art sketching underground, kids cookery, geology adventures at Torre Abbey and more.
http://www.englishriviera.co.uk/whats-on/geopark-festival-2014-p1692563
4. BrixFest, 24– 28 May
BrixFest is a 1940s themed weekend that celebrates the best of Brixham past and present with vintage planes, delicious seafood, live music and spectacular fireworks. An annual event that is free to attend, this year promises to be bigger and better than ever as the town commemorates the 70th anniversary of D-Day 1944.
http://www.englishriviera.co.uk/whats-on/brixfest-brixham-2014-p159003
5. Brixham Heritage Sailing Regatta (100th Anniversary), 23 and 24 May
Hosted by Brixham Yacht Club in the wonderfully picturesque fishing port of Brixham, all types, shapes and sizes of traditional sailing vessels are expected. This year is very special as it’s the 100th anniversary of the King’s Cup donated by keen sailor King George V in 1914. There are many vantage points for spectators, especially from the breakwater.
http://www.englishriviera.co.uk/whats-on/brixham-heritage-sailing-regatta-2014-p1451593
6. Half Term Week Fun
Play Torbay has arranged a range of activities to keep your children entertained this half term. There are too many to list here, but you will find the details by clicking here
7. OPEN AIR PROMS – Sunday 29th June 6pm – 10pm.
Stoodley Knowle School will be hosting the Open air proms featuring Devon Youth Wind Orchestra Musical Director Steve Grant · Soloist Val Howels, West End Musical Stars Keedie, Paul Cobley, Wayne Champagne, Stephanie Blackler, Lisa T. Winter, Lily Laight Plus The Stoodley Knowle School Choirs and Soloists
Tickets are available from The Babbacombe Theatre Box Office or Stoodley Knowle School. Tel: 01803 293160· Adults £20 · Under 16 £5 · Under 5 FREE
