Environment
Dawlish Strand Enhancement scheme given the go ahead
Posted on: 8 February 2012
A £1.5million scheme to enhance Dawlish Strand has today (Wednesday 8 February) been approved by Devon County Council’s Cabinet.
The layout which councillors supported maintains vehicular access to the Strand as well as retaining on-street parking, which was seen as vital for local businesses. This option offers significant benefits to the town’s economy, widening pavements to improve the shopping experience and encouraging shoppers to stay longer in the town centre. The County Council is also investigating removing the wall which currently divides The Strand from The Lawn and is considering replacing it with railings.
Following 18 months of public consultation in the town, responses were split almost 50-50 on whether to prevent vehicular access to the area, with 181 in favour of keeping the road open and 180 votes backing plans for pedestrianisation.
However, the main concern from people who took part in the consultation was the impact of removing vehicle access from The Strand would have on other roads such as High Street, Barton Terrace and Oak Hill. Barton Terrace was considered unsuitable for higher traffic flows that would result from closure of The Strand to traffic, and reversing the one-way traffic flow on High Street. The option to pedestrianise the area has not been progressed because of this potential impact on neighbouring roads.
Dawlish Town Council had favoured a hybrid scheme but Devon County Council has not pursued this idea as it was felt it would have presented similar problems on the local road network as full pedestrianisation.
Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Highways and Transportation, said: “Although the even split on opinion has meant it has been no easy task to finalise the plans for The Strand, I think everyone is in agreement that we need to enhance Dawlish town centre to help stimulate the town’s economy. Although the recommendation is for vehicular access in The Strand to be maintained, pedestrians will still benefit from the wider footways which should make visiting and shopping in the town a much more enjoyable experience.”
Councillor John Clatworthy, Deputy Leader of Devon County Council and local County Councillor for Dawlish, said: “I welcome the investment in The Strand and with no mandate from the consultation, in my view its is important that the Strand remains open with parking available for residents and visitors to support local businesses. The recent High Street review for the Government by Mary Portas highlighted the need for parking in town centres so that they can compete with out of town supermarkets. The plan includes a wider pavement and replacing the wall with railings, which will be distinct improvements.”
Dawlish Town Council is also committing £30,000 to the project.
What a shame that the Strand will not be pedestrianised, certainly a missed opportunity. I do not think that this plan will make Dawlish an improved shopping experience. I think holiday makers will continue to chose to go to Teignmouth.
Thank you for your comment Sandra.
The option to pedestrianise the area has not been progressed because of the potential impact on neighbouring roads which are unsuitable for higher traffic flows. Maintaining vehicular access to the Strand will offer significant benefits to the town’s economy as visitors will continue to enjoy on-street parking close to many of Dawlish’s shops and businesses. In addition to this plans to widen the pavements will make visiting and shopping in the town a much more enjoyable experience for pedestrians.