Ellacombe Road, Torquay
Introducing the street
Ellacombe Road is an Edwardian terrace close to the centre of Torquay. The houses are situated on one side of the street facing a children's park, with a pub at one end of the street. Of some historical interest the street is currently being assessed for conservation area status.
Residents were limited to strict parking restrictions, where they could only park their car for an hour between the hours of 8am-6pm. The street was used a rat run and suffered from speeding.
Ellacombe Road is in the process of being assessed for conservation status
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| Before | After |
Facts and background:
- Capital (build and materials) cost - £50,000
- Type - Small Edwardian terraces
- No. of dwellings - 41
- Length of street - 238 Metres
- Project partnership between - Sustrans, Torbay Council and the residents of Ellacombe Road
- Funded by - Esmee Fairbairn Foundation and Torbay Council
Timeline:
Project kick off: December 2007
Design process:February 2008 - September 2009
Construction: September 2009 - October 2009
Project end date: March 2010
Street traffic issues:
- Nuisance parking
- Traffic speeds
- Park activity, particularly at night
- Lack of a footway
- Littering
- Dead space at the junction
- The need for dropped kerbs
Solutions found:
- The street was made one-way to vehicular traffic [but two way for bicycles] in order to reduce traffic volumes.
- Echelon parking bays were introduced in order to narrow the available space for vehicle's movement - to ensure that traffic speeds would be reduced despite the change to one-way.
- Planters were placed in the street on either side to narrow the street and create a natural chicane to slow down traffic and add greenery.
- A tree was added to act as a welcoming entrance feature and to add greenery. It also helps to obscure a long sightline, encouraging slower speeds.
- Stone sign posts were installed on either side of the street at the bottom end to act as a gateway feature marking the street as a special and cared for space and as a memorial to its founder.