BUSINESSES in Newton Abbot have been assured that their local council supports them, as work begins to transform the town centre.

A new traffic scheme, which has divided opinion, is taking shape.

Pavements in Queen Street will be widened and traffic flows changed as part of a government-funded project which also includes improved crossings, more seating and extra provision for buses and bicycles.

Traffic orders have already been signed off to enable the scheme to go ahead, with the changes including a 20mph speed limit, new waiting, parking and loading restrictions and closing off several roads to anything other than through traffic.

But there have been demonstrations from opponents of the scheme, and a legal battle has begun, with solicitors saying there were flaws in the way the council carried out its consultations. 

Cllr David Palethorpe (Lib Dem, Ipplepen) said it was ‘quite understandable’ that traders would be concerned about the impact on their businesses, both during and after construction.

Council leader Martin Wrigley (Lib Dem, Dawlish NE) went on: ‘It is absolutely vital that this council supports the businesses through this period, so we can celebrate the re-opening of Queen Street, and the brighter future that it brings.’

And of the protests he said: ‘Exactly the same thing happened in Courtenay Street when that was pedestrianised, and I don’t think we’ll find many people today saying let’s put traffic back in there.

‘Hopefully we will see a thriving and successful Queen Street after these changes have been done.’