Essential utility works prompt revised time line for Paignton town centre public realm improvements

Torbay Council’s public realm improvements at Paignton’s Station Square, set for this autumn, are paused due to essential utility works. Wales & West Utilities must replace high-risk gas assets by end of 2025, requiring a revised project timeline.

While Torbay Council had hoped to begin our public realm improvement scheme this autumn, essential statutory utility works means we will need to adjust our timeline.

Highly anticipated public realm improvements at Station Square in Paignton that were due to get underway this autumn, have been paused to allow for essential utility works to be carried out.

Wales & West Utilities has several high-risk gas assets that, under their licence conditions, must be replaced by the end of 2025.

To meet the regulator (Ofgem) prescribed timeline, Wales & West are booked to commence works on Sands Road from Monday 20 October. The works require Sands Road to be fully closed for 8-weeks, ensuring the replacement of the pipe is completed by December 2025.

With Sands Road to be closed for the Wales & West works, and the Paignton and Preston Sea Defence works starting in the autumn, we have decided to avoid any works in Paignton town centre that would impact Hyde Road, Victoria Street, Great Western Road and Torbay Road for the foreseeable future.

The decision to delay the much-needed public realm works is not one the council has made easily. A new start date for the Station Square works is yet to be confirmed. We are liaising with the grant funder to understand the implications that delaying this work might have.   

We will work closely with SWISCo and the contractor to keep the community informed about the planned works on Sands Road. This will include updates on diversion routes, accessibility, and working hours as soon as the details are confirmed.

Regeneration of this scale in a town centre, is not without its challenges. Our project teams are working with appointed contractors and its regeneration partners to navigate unexpected issues and continue to drive forward the bay-wide transformational delivery programme.

The Station Square public realm scheme is part of the council’s wider Paignton town centre regeneration programme, which already has several exciting projects underway.

• Paignton Picture House, the restoration of Europe’s oldest cinema is progressing well and is looking towards reopening in 2026.
• Paignton and Preston Sea Defence, work is due to begin this autumn, work will be carried out in three separate phases for the Paignton part of the project, and a single phase for the Preston part of the project. Work fully concluding in spring 2027.
• Crossways, a revised planning application for c90 extra-care homes and a new purpose-built day centre is being prepared,
• Victoria Centre, part of the site has been demolished and unlocked for redevelopment. Longer-term plans look to provide around 200 new homes on the site.
• Torbay Road, funding is allocated to support public realm improvements. In the autumn community engagement will take place to shape how this funding could be spent.

Additionally, on the outskirts of the town centre, Phase 1 of the Oldway Mansion restoration project is underway, using £8million of government funding, plus £1million committed by us. 

Engagement with the community continues to play an important role in the regeneration of Paignton. Feedback from public, private, and community sector stakeholders is helping to shape and evolve transformational plans. This collaborative approach is central to delivering meaningful change, ensuring collectively with our partners that we are are creating a town centre that is fit for the future.

Cllr Chris Lewis, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Place Development and Economic Growth at Torbay Council, said; “We are naturally disappointed to pause the start of the much-needed Station Square public realm improvements. The utility works are necessary and must be carried out to ensure the continued safety and reliability of vital infrastructure.

"We understand that the additional works and planned closure of Sands Road may cause frustration for the community. We’re working closely with our Highways team and the contractor to keep everyone informed. At this stage, we don’t have further details on diversion routes or access to Sands Road, but we’ll share updates with residents and businesses as soon as they become available.

“Town centre regeneration is complex, but we remain fully committed to delivering a vibrant, accessible and future-ready Paignton. We have several exciting projects already underway – from the restoration of Paignton Picture House to the sea deference works and new homes, we are making real progress.

“We’re grateful for the community’s continued support and input as we work together to shape and deliver a thriving future for Paignton”.

Current Sands Road works (update from Thursday 31 July)

All pipework repairs are complete in Sands Road, Paignton. SWISCo’s contractor is now backfilling the trench before restoring the road surface. Backfilling will take longer than usual due to the depth of the trench at 4m (13ft) and poor ground conditions. The cavity must be filled carefully to avoid the sides of the trench collapsing.

Sands Road will remain closed while this work takes place for the safety of the public and the workforce. If all goes to plan, we expect to reopen the road by the end of this week.