Paignton waterfront access to shift again as September works begin

demoduck.co.uk editorial team 2026-08-05 11:30 3 min read

A long concrete pier stretching out into the ocean at sunset in the UK.

Paignton and Preston have entered another live phase of waterfront works, with Paignton South vehicle rules changing from Monday 10 August and another restriction wave scheduled for Monday 21 September. Torbay Council said the tighter sequence is needed to carry momentum into autumn while still keeping key routes open for pedestrians and local activity. The council added that Paignton North access remains available during this period, which keeps the immediate summer disruption narrower than in earlier phases.

Paignton South sees stricter vehicle rules through August and September

From 10 August, Paignton South between the Vue Cinema and the Paignton Club is to be closed to parking and used as an exit-only route for vehicles. During the first half day of those works, vehicle access through Paignton Middle and South will be unavailable while new traffic management is installed. Around half of available parking in this section is being phased to stay open for as long as safe, and pedestrian access is maintained.

From Monday 21 September, the next planned step is the suspension of parking along Middle Green and vehicle access through South Green. Pedestrian access is still expected to be available in this second phase, and Paignton North parking remains unaffected. The longer-term parking anchor at Victoria long stay car park (more than 200 spaces) is still available nearby, which may become more important if your usual route changes suddenly.

Paignton waterfront access to shift again as September works begin

Preston hits key milestones as work advances toward the next section

Preston is also moving through visible milestones. The council report says all foundation slabs are installed and 50% of the precast concrete flood defence wall is now in place. Lighting columns are planned for September, and works on Preston North between the middle section path and Seaway Road are still on schedule. The area is expected to reopen later in the month behind temporary surfacing so access can return sooner, with final surfacing part of the wider programme in spring 2027.

Work on Preston is set to continue into the section between the middle section path and The Boathouse from September. Pedestrian routes around the site are to be diverted where needed, but the business access point at The Boathouse is to remain open and the site stay trading. This sequencing is also tied to seasonal timing: council members have linked the staging to planned dog-beach access changes and the target return of beach huts for the 2027 season.

Confirmed dates and what to expect on the ground

Date (2026)	Confirmed effect
22 July	Paignton North parking was reinstated after earlier works stages.
10 August	Paignton South parking is suspended and becomes exit-only for vehicles; short vehicle disruption at Paignton Middle/South while controls are installed.
21 September	Parking on Middle Green and vehicle access through South Green are suspended; pedestrian movement is maintained.
Late September (target)	Paignton North lighting columns and handrails are installed; remaining fencing removed; sections in Preston reopened on temporary surfacing before full spring 2027 finish.

Programme momentum and next verification point

The council said this phase is helping to recover about six weeks after earlier delays and has been timed around major local events to keep the waterfront active during the summer. Councillor Chris Lewis said the approach was to keep disruption narrow but continuous, and to preserve business access while works progress. The next verifiable milestone is the September installation of lighting and safety fittings, followed by controlled reopening of newly treated sections against the final surfacing timeline for spring 2027.

Source: Torbay Council

Context & actions About this article

Source check Source-first municipal update check

This piece follows the latest Torbay Council update, mapping only the dated access, milestone, and phase details released in the statement.

Checks

Verified Paignton North parking was reinstated on 22 July and stated as still open in this...
Verified Paignton South parking closure and exit-only vehicle flow are set from Monday 10...
Verified Preston has all foundation slabs installed and around 50% of the precast flood de...
Verified lighting-column installation and temporary resurfacing sequencing are scheduled i...

Torbay Council Independent context check