By Safe, Sustainable Travel Torbay (SSTT)
Monday 21st April marks four years since Torbay Council adopted its Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP)—affectionately known as Bay Trails. This document promised a safer, greener, more accessible future for walking, cycling, and wheeling across the Bay. But four years on, how much of that vision has actually made it onto our streets?
Let’s just say… we’re celebrating with a healthy dose of irony.
What Was the LCWIP Supposed to Do?
Back in April 2021, the LCWIP laid out a clear and ambitious strategy for transforming how we get around Torbay. Safer routes, better accessibility, and more joined-up infrastructure were all on the table. It was supposed to be a road map toward healthier lives, cleaner air, and a more equitable transport network.
But while the plan remains on paper, real progress has stalled. Prominent redevelopment projects have come and gone—without delivering the cycling and walking infrastructure the LCWIP calls for.
Missed Opportunities, Again and Again
Big regeneration schemes offered so much opportunity:
- Torquay Harbourside was completed with zero provision for cycling.
- Paignton Eastern Esplanade is moving forward without incorporating LCWIP recommendations or guidance from Active Travel England. We feel these plans recreate the current dangerous layout for vulnerable road users.
- Paignton Station Square redevelopment – removing a lane for vehicles and providing no provision for cycling.
“Every time we miss a chance to embed active travel into our built environment, we reduce the quality of the Bay’s future,” said Beth, Torbay’s Bike Mayor. “We can’t keep celebrating plans and policies if we fail to implement them where it counts—on our streets.”
Funding? Yes. Progress? Still Unclear.
There’s some good news: Torbay has recently received funding for active travel. But it’s not yet clear how this will be used—or whether it will address critical issues like:
- The lack of an accessible route to Torbay Hospital
- Dangerous stairs where a ramp is desperately needed
- A missing crossing over Shiphay Road, cutting off access for people with mobility needs
These aren’t luxuries—they’re lifelines for residents who need safe, reliable ways to reach work, school, healthcare and other vital services.
Who’s Driving This? Nobody, Apparently.
Right now, no dedicated officer is responsible for active travel in Torbay. Responsibilities are scattered between departments, with no clear accountability. SSTT is calling for:
- A dedicated active travel lead within the council
- Reinstating the Liveable Towns Co-Ordinator role, scrapped in 2022
A Chance to Do Better: Plan for Neighbourhoods
The government’s new Plan for Neighbourhoods programme is an opportunity to reset. The funding is designed for projects that bring economic, health, and connectivity benefits to communities.
For Torbay, that means accessible, joined-up infrastructure that supports employment, education, and local businesses—while tackling inequality head-on.
Even Torbay Council agrees. In a 2023 update, they acknowledged:
“Prioritising walking and cycling improvements supports the objectives of the LCWIP and has the potential to deliver wider economic benefits locally.”
Now it’s time to turn that sentiment into action.
What We’re Calling For
As we mark LCWIP’s fourth birthday, Safe, Sustainable Travel Torbay remains committed to pushing for:
- 🚶♀️ Infrastructure that matches policy – No more developments without proper walking and cycling provision.
- 👩💼 Dedicated leadership – A named officer focused solely on active travel.
- ♿ Inclusive access – Streets that work for all ages and abilities.
- 🌍 A cultural shift – Toward transport justice, sustainability, and health.
Happy Birthday, LCWIP… Now Let’s Get You Out of the Filing Cabinet
We’re not here to just mark time—we’re here to demand movement. Let’s make 2025 the year where plans turn into progress, and Torbay Council recommit to embracing active and sustainable travel!
About Safe, Sustainable Travel Torbay (SSTT)
We’re a community led organisation dedicated to improving transport options for all in Torbay. Our mission is to reduce car dependency and promote walking, cycling, and public transport as viable alternatives—building a healthier, more equitable community.
Get Involved:
📧 sstraveltorbay@gmail.com
📞 07747839405
🌐 safesustainabletraveltorbay.co.uk
Safe, Sustainable Travel Torbay 
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