WITH nine votes in favour to one against, a series of Traffic Regulation Orders (TRO) pertaining to Queen Street, Newton Abbot, have been approved, and the scheme can now be recommended for construction in July: Cllr Phil Bullivant gives his view on the outcome.

'The future of Newton Abbot as a leading market town attracting the visitors needed to support our local economy is in the balance' Cllr Bullivant said.

'The falling footfall in the markets and comments received from various surveys points to the need to act to re-energise our town.

'The plans that were approved are the first steps towards this goal. Providing a more attractive and visitor friendly environment will help us support our local businesses.

'The plans include planting of trees, widening pavements and installing flower structures to give a greener, more attractive appearance to the area.

'The increase in parking provision for disabled cars is welcome. The loss of on street parking is an unfortunate price that has to be paid to enable the footpaths to be widened and enable the planting of trees, but 1000 car parking spaces continue to be within two minutes’ walk of Queen Street and all continue to be free after 6pm to support the night time economy.

'There are people for change and those who want to maintain things as they are.

'My doorstep feed back is overwhelmingly in favour of the town centre investment and I was pleased that the plans were passed nine votes in favour to one against, showing support for local residents' he added.

The TROs approved by the committee will:

► Introduce new 20mph speed limit between The Avenue and Courtenay Street on Queen Street and along a section of Albany Street

► Introduce the prohibition of motor vehicles on specified lengths of Devon Square, King Street, Oak Place and Queen Street; one way and width restriction on a specified length of Hopkins Lane; length restriction on specified lengths of Devon Square, King Street and Queen Street.

► Approximately 55% of on-street parking is proposed to be removed from within the scheme area, including the removal of all on-street parking between Courtenay Street and Albany Street.