News courtesy of Kevin Foster
(MP for Torbay)
Court Closure Debate
The decision has been taken to close Torquay Magistrates Court and Kevin Foster commented about the impact this will have on our area. He also made clear the Government needs to have a long term plan for its estate of Court Buildings after hundreds of thousands of taxpayers money was spent in recent years improving our court, only for a decision to be taken to close it.
As you will see from the video of the debate despite many communities across the country seeing their court closed sadly only a small number of MPs turned up for the debate which was led by a Labour MP from London. You can watch the video of his comments by clicking here. and read them by clicking here.
Torre Traffic Set to Be Reversed
On Monday 11th April 2016 a major milestone will be reached when traffic through Torre will be flowing in a different direction, providing a more direct access into Torquay Town Centre.
This will follow a road closure of Union Street, between Tramaton Avenue and Laburnham Row, on Sunday 10 April, which is need to enable some of the final works to be carried out.
The first part of this scheme has already seen the alteration of the traffic signal junction at Tor Hill Road and Abbey Road, next to Central Church. This now provides traffic leaving the Town Centre from Castle Circus the ability to turn right into Tor Hill Road.
The reversal of traffic flow within Torre has been an aspiration of the local traders and community groups for many years as bringing more traffic through the area will spur its regeneration by giving businesses greater levels of passing trade.
You can see a map of how the changed layout will work on the council website by clicking here.
Mayor’s Award Winners Announced
Torbay’s Elected Mayor, Gordon Oliver made his annual pledge of giving half of his salary to charitable groups and, this year, 66 charities were granted funding of up to £1,000.
The Mayor’s Fund invites organisations to apply for funding to help support and promote the work they carry out in the Bay. The recipients of the fund ranged from sports clubs to arts groups and youth organisations to disability support groups.
You can find out more details about this year’s recipients and how to apply for the fund by clicking here.
Police Elections and Mayoral Referendum
Whilst the national media is dominated by the debate over the EU Referendum in June here in the bay we have two other votes to look forward to on Thursday 5thMay 2016.
Devon and Cornwall will be electing a new Police & Crime Commissioner as Tony Hogg is retiring. There will also be a Referendum on whether we continue with the Elected Mayor system for running Torbay Council.
It is easy to sign up for a postal vote to ensure you don’t miss having your say. Just click here to be taken to the relevant section of the Electoral Commission’s website.
Roadworks At Tweenaway
If you regularly head along the A380 to and from White Rock and Brixham you may need to plan some extra time for your journey from the week commencing Monday 11th April as road works are due to start at Tweenaway Cross.
The works, which will take up to five months to complete, will see the carriageway widened in two separate areas. This will include extending the merge lanes leading up to the Tweenaway junction and a dedicated right turn lane into Waterleat Road being added from Kings Ash Road. Improvements will also be made to the pedestrian crossing facility installed near to the Waterleat Road junction.
The Council were asked about the reasoning behind the start date given that the five month period (April to September) covered includes the peak summer season. This is the response I got from their highways department:
- The scheme is part of a series of planned improvements along Torbay’s Ring Road and needs to be completed before more major schemes get under way in the forthcoming autumn and winter period.
- Whilst we have not as yet had a pre-start meeting with our contractor, it is hoped that works will start on site during the week commencing 11th April 2016.
- The work will take place in a number of phases.
- Work will be phased so that the most disruptive works are carried out either side of the summer period, so that traffic flow is not affected during the busiest times, e.g. our summer holiday embargo and the Torbay air show.
Torre Abbey Backs Rhinos Campaign
Torre Abbey is holding two events throughout April to raise awareness and support for the Great Big Rhino Project taking place throughout the local area.
The first event watches five professional artists paint life-size sculptures of a rhino in the Spanish Barn, which will then be displayed in the grounds of the historic house. This event will take place from 9 March to 14 April, with individual artists occupying the space at each time.
The other event organised for all members of the family to get involved with is a creative workshop. The workshop will include making a meadow of flowers from plastic recycled materials which will be used as part of the display for the finished, painted rhino.
The workshop will take place on Tues 29 March, Friday 1, Tuesday 5 and Friday 8 April. The cost per child is £3.50 and £5 for each accompanying adult, including entry to the attraction and workshop activities. For more info and to buy tickets just click here.
More Details on Torbay Air Show Acts
A brand new aerobatic team was announced for Torbay Airshow this week, pyrotechnic formation flying team AeroSPARX.
The Aerosparx team, flying in the evening of Friday 10th June, are new to the airshow world and are set to revolutionise it with a number of exciting innovations. AeroSPARX is unique in airshow circles as it has special clearance to fly at night with pyrotechnics that light up the sky.
You can find more details about this display and all the other activities planned during the air show by clicking here.
Summer Parking Charges Are Here
The winter parking promotion has now ended.
Normal charges came into effect on Tuesday with the all day rate increasing back to £8 from the £3 winter promotion.
If you regularly park in Council Car Parks then the Off Peak Parking Permit (offered to residents only by the Council) can represent excellent value. It is £50 for the whole year, covers all but 2 Council Car Park and is valid from 3pm till 10am the next morning. The permit can be used with another ticket, so if parking at 2pm you pay for just 1 hour till your permit starts.
You can find out more and apply for an Off Peak Permit by clicking here.
All Aboard the Good Ship Boaty McBoatFace
When the Natural Environment Research Council decided to ask the public to name their new polar research vessel they were probably expecting a range of suggestions based on great polar explorers or scientists.
Their new ship will be the UK’s largest and most advanced research ship yet and will be able to carry out its work in the midst of the harsh Antarctic and Arctic Winters. So when it came to thinking of a name for the ship it was only natural that the majority of votes in an online poll would go to……Boaty McBoatface.
Yes a rather bizarre choice is dominating the poll ahead of various polar explorers. You can cast your vote by clicking here, but interestingly the NERC has pointed out it retains the ability to choose the final name despite the votes cast.
Events
French Market
25th March – 28th March – Princess Promenade, Torbay Road, Torquay, TQ2 5EZ
Dawn Service On The Beach
Easter Day (Sunday 27th March) 6:30am on Torre Abbey Sands organised by St Luke’s Church. all are welcome to attend.
Grand Re-Opening Celebration
A celebration to mark the re-opening of Hele’s Angels on Hele Road will take place at 1:30pm on Friday 1st April. A Buffet and Refreshments will be available.
Occombe Hopping Bunny Easter Trail
Follow the trail that the mischievous Easter bunny has left and solve the clues to win a yummy chocolate prize! No need to book – just turn up! Every day from Friday 25th March until Thursday 7th April from 10am – 4pm at Occombe Farm. Price: £2.50 (5 – 14 yrs)
There is lots to do this Easter across the bay. You can find more chances for family fun on the English Riviera website by clicking here.
