A £440,000 enhancement scheme for Northumberland Place has been hailed 'as the next stage in Teignmouth's renaissance'. Devon County's executive approved the major extension of the enhancement of the town centre on Monday. It will mean wider pathways and a pedestrianised dominated space that will allow for a café culture in the area. The Northumberland Place area will be given a huge makeover to link with improvements in Teign Street, Bank Street, Somerset place and Northumberland Place towards the sea front. It is hoped that work will begin in spring and be ready for the busy summer season. County Cllr Chris Bray welcomed the scheme that will benefit businesses, visitors and residents. 'It marks another step in the renaissance of Teignmouth. The triangle has been improved, and more recently the Riviera Cinema. 'I think all this adds to a revival for the town.' 'The idea is to improve the ambience of various areas within Teignmouth. 'It makes room for a continental café style culture with wider pavements that will allow restaurants to serve diners outside. 'There will also be more street furniture, bike stands and trees lining the streets. Though the scheme retains all traffic movements, the highway will be reduced and there will be a loss of car parking spaces from 25 to eight. The shortfall is being made up in nearby areas and the parking will be limited for short-term use. 'This will increase the turnover of these spaces for the benefit of shoppers and other business premises,' said a report that went before Tuesday's committee. The enhancement scheme comes after months of consultation. Cllr Bray said: 'One of my first concerns was the reduction in car parking, but I have been advised that others will be made available in adjacent areas. 'The council has very much taken people's views into consideration with this scheme and I am sure that it can only be of benefit to the town's image.' He added that he is pushing for the enhancement of Brunswick Street. 'I am determined that it is not going to slip off the agenda. Even though the redevelopment is very much reliant on a flood defence scheme, I am sure something can be done, even if it is just as a temporary measure.'
