Labour calls for delay to Paignton and Preston sea wall.

Torbay Labour Party is calling for wider consultation on the proposal to build a high wall along two of our most used beaches.

Andy Symons, Chair of Torbay Labour Party, said “I am extremely concerned that Lib Dem Torbay Council is planning to build a sea wall running the full length of Paignton and Preston seafront. Not part of the seafront, all of it.”

The wall will have a minimum height of 1.1m on Paignton Beach and will be 1.5 metres (5ft) high at Preston.

The wall will block views of the sea from the many family-run hotels and B&Bs. It will cause massive disruption to the businesses that operate on the front, including the GeoPark café.  The beach hut users at Preston will see the wall go right through the middle of where they currently stand.

During the recent election, Andy Symons produced a video about the proposals.  You can still view the video by clicking here https://fb.watch/5hmdat3Ha-/

Labour’s campaign during the recent by-election helped to raise awareness of the changes being proposed to these two popular local beaches.

Whilst Torbay Labour shares the Council’s concerns about the impact of climate change and the potential for serious flooding along this part of our coast, major projects like this must have the full support of local people.

With building work due to start in the autumn of 2021, Torbay Labour Party are calling on the Council to delay their plans to allow for a meaningful period of awareness-raising and consultation to take place.

The Secretary for Torbay Labour said,  “We recognise the importance of preparing for the impact of climate change but a delay to allow awareness-raising and full consultation to take place would be time well spent. Our coastline is what has brought many people to the Bay as tourists and as residents. It is only right that something which will radically change the look of Paignton and Preston has the full backing of businesses and the public before it goes ahead.”