Traders launch bid to stop town improvement scheme

A group of traders and residents are against the scheme to widen pavements and reduce parking in Queen Street in Newton Abbot

Traders are trying to raise funds for a legal fight against a controversial project designed to improve a town centre.

The Queen Street Traders and Residents group is trying to raise £7,000 to challenge the scheme in Newton Abbot.

They say the widening of pavements, traffic restrictions and removal of parking spaces is damaging to local businesses.

The leader of Teignbridge District Council said the scheme would be beneficial to businesses in Queen Street and the wider area.

Liam Mullone is a South Devon Alliance member of Teignbridge District Council

Liam Mullone, a Teignbridge District Council member from the South Devon Alliance, said: "This is supposed to be the commercial hub of our town and it's dying.

"Nobody wanted this."

Mr Mullone said the legal challenge was the only avenue left to people against the scheme.

He said the scrapping of a traffic reduction scheme in Paignton showed projects could be overturned.

The legal challenge would relate to issues around air pollution, blue badge parking and public consultations, he said.

Claire Quelvennec is leading the Queen Street Traders and Residents (QSTAR) group against the plans

Work on the project started on 28 May.

Claire Quelvennec, who runs Jacksons Fishmongers on Queen Street, said businesses were already reporting drops in trade of "between 10 and 20%".

She said: "Moving forward that will be uneconomical for them to sustain.

"We have customers saying that because of the reduction in parking they are no longer able to access the parts of town they would like to."

An artist's impression of how Queen Street will look

The scheme has a budget of £1.3m with the money coming from a bid by Teignbridge District Council to the previous government's Future High Streets Fund, and £500,000 from the government's Active Travel fund secured by Devon County Council.

The plans involve widening footpaths, adding more public seating and planting new trees.

Access to the part of Queen Street beyond the junction with Albany Street will be restricted to buses, pedestrians, cycles and loading vehicles.

Martin Wrigley is leader of Teignbridge District Council and newly-elected MP for Newton Abbot

Martin Wrigley is the leader of Teignbridge District Council, a member of Devon County Council and has just been elected as Newton Abbot's Liberal Democrat MP.

He said there had been "a long-term desire to improve the shopping experience in Queen Street".

He said: "It will be better, with wider pavements, more access, easier for people with buggies and pushchairs and easier for people in mobility scooters and a nicer place to be."

Mr Wrigley said he was confident the council would be able to deal with any legal challenge.

He said: "I've had reassurances from every level. This is legally sound and there is no issue that anyone is aware of that will actually fly."

The work is due to be completed in November.