Around Shiphay

Over the past four years Darren and Rob have been working with residents and community groups on a range of issues, just some are highlighted here

Your concerns
are our concerns

   Shiphay Community

Resurfacing and pavements

One of the major issues Darren and Rob have to deal with is the poor state of roads and pavements.

Torbay has an estimated backlog of approximately £25million of highways maintenance and insufficient grants coming from government.

We are always pleased when works are undertaken such as that at Littlefield Close and plans to rebuild the surface at Banbury Park.

There are also various stretches of pavements that have been patched, but we would like to see a proper programme of works identified across the ward.

Listening to you
Acting for you

Exe Hill Park

The park in Exe Hill has recently been surveyed by the council and a schedule of works has been identified which includes maintaining some of the equipment and a plan to replace or repair the wooden fence.


The Community Partnership will be considering funding options to achieve a much needed improvement programme for this park and hope to start work this year.



Shiphay Park

Shiphay Park is a popular area and has seen some minor improvements in recent years, but like other parks in the ward a schedule of maintenance has been produced.


Darren and Rob have had the rusty old bins replaced with new ones as well as the tired notice board refurbished.  There is also a new 'Friendship Bench' which will soon be planted to add some colour.


Working with the Community Partnership and local residents they will be working with Swisco to identify a plan of action to implement a Park Plan to improve the amenity.

Kitson Park

The park is often overlooked given that it is somewhat hidden away behind Cadewell Lane.


There is a new group of volunteers that are putting together activities similar to the Jubilee Party in the Park that was held last year.


A working group is being established to replant the Pollinator Patch as well as plant the new 'Friendship Bench' that was funded from the Councillors Community Ward Fund.

   Chelston Community

Hawkins Avenue and Markham Plantation

There is a dedicated group of volunteers that litter pick and maintain Markham Plantation that has benefitted from some small grants and section 106 money.


The community have also planted a small community garden at the top of Hawkins Avenue by the community notice board that was refurbished when other boards were improved.


There are also plans to place a bench and planters on the area next to the garden to further enhance the area.

Amarda Park

Rob and Darren have been working with the football club at Amarda Park to invest in the tired and dated changing rooms.

After much effort there are now plans to fully refurbish the facility this Summer.

The project, estimated to be upto £75,000 will be funded between Torbay Council, Devon FA and a grant from the Torquay Neighbourhood Forum Community Infrastructure Levy.

There has been some other minor works undertaken at the play park including repair of some equipment with further investment planned in the future.

The site was also made more secure by replacing the access gate of Nut Bush Lane.

Grenville Avenue area

Residents in this area have been raising concerns about parking and the narrow road which can be obstructed which created issues with waste and recycling.


Darren and Rob, working with residents and Swisco have now overcome the collection issues and missed collections have now become a rarity.


Further efforts are being undertaken and officers from Swisco have visited the area to identify what steps can be taken to ensure access is maintained - especially for emergency services - in particular fire engines.


Two trees along Grenville Avenue are showing signs of damage where large vehicles have struck them and some works to prevent further damage is being identified.


We recently reported a badly damaged road sign at Howard Close that has been replaced.  It's these little things that make the difference.


A rusty old bin in Raleigh Avenue has also been reported and will shortly be replaced along with the removal of the nearby tree stump and the community noticeboard is due to be refurbished.


UPDATE - The bin has now been replaced.