Torbay Council has delivered a major transformation of The Strand, creating a high-quality public space that enhances one of the town’s most iconic waterfront locations while prioritising pedestrians and improving the visitor experience.
The £3.7 million scheme was procured via the Civil Engineering & Infrastructure Framework, which we manage on behalf of contracting authority QE Facilities. Delivered by Montel Civil Engineering, the completed project supports the ambitions set out in the Local Plan, Neighbourhood Plan, Torquay Town Centre Masterplan and the Council’s Transformation Strategy for Torbay’s town centres, creating a vibrant destination for residents, businesses and visitors alike.
Supporting a compliant and efficient procurement process
Torbay Council appointed Montel Civil Engineering through the Civil Engineering & Infrastructure Framework via a compliant further competition process. The framework provided a fast and efficient route to market, enabling the Council to appoint a contractor with the capability and experience to deliver a complex public realm scheme while ensuring full procurement compliance and value for money.
Throughout the procurement process, Pagabo worked closely with the Council, going above and beyond to support its engagement requirements and providing guidance that helped keep the project moving at pace. This collaborative approach gave the Council confidence in its contractor appointment and laid the foundations for the successful delivery of the scheme.
Creating a more vibrant waterfront
Situated adjacent to Torbay Harbour, The Strand is one of Torquay’s most recognisable public spaces and a key gateway to the town centre.
The completed scheme has significantly reduced vehicular movement through the area, creating an attractive, accessible public realm that places pedestrians at the heart of the waterfront while enhancing the experience for residents, visitors and local businesses.
The works included:
- High-quality public realm improvements throughout The Strand
- Enhanced pedestrian spaces designed to improve accessibility
- Highway and drainage improvements
- New paving and surfacing works
- Carefully managed traffic arrangements that maintained access throughout construction.
Delivering complex works through collaborative procurement
Construction required careful planning to minimise disruption while maintaining access for residents, businesses and visitors.
Throughout the enabling works, two-way traffic remained in operation before works progressed in carefully managed phases. Pedestrians were safely redirected via the northern footway, while dedicated vehicle marshals managed the interface between construction activity and members of the public.
Site preparation included drainage installation, clearance works and the construction of a tarmac binder course, creating unrestricted paving areas that improved productivity and installation quality. Final surfacing works were then completed during a planned six-week road closure, supported by clear communication with businesses and the wider community throughout each stage of delivery.
Sustainability in practice
Environmental considerations were embedded throughout the construction programme.
The project utilised eco accommodation cabins, solar-powered generators and hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) fuel across transportation, helping to reduce the environmental impact of construction while supporting Torbay Council’s wider sustainability ambitions.
Community collaboration
Engagement with the local community played an important role in the successful delivery of the project.
Extensive consultation with residents, schools and local businesses informed the development of the scheme, ensuring it reflected community aspirations while supporting the long-term vision for Torquay’s town centre.
Throughout construction, regular communication helped businesses, residents and visitors plan around traffic management arrangements and key programme milestones, minimising disruption while work progressed.
Delivering a lasting legacy
The completed transformation of The Strand has created a welcoming, accessible and vibrant public space that strengthens Torquay’s waterfront while supporting local businesses and encouraging greater pedestrian activity within the town centre.
By combining collaborative procurement with expert delivery, the project demonstrates how investment in public realm infrastructure can create places that deliver lasting social, economic and environmental value for the communities they serve.
David Llewellyn, Construction & Infrastructure Director at Pagabo, said:
“The Strand is a fantastic example of how collaborative procurement can support the successful delivery of transformational public realm projects. Through the Civil Engineering & Infrastructure Framework, we were proud to support Torbay Council with a compliant further competition process, providing a fast and efficient route to market while working closely with the team throughout procurement. By appointing Montel Civil Engineering through the framework, the Council was able to move forward with confidence on a scheme that has created a more accessible, attractive and sustainable town centre. The completed project leaves a lasting legacy for the local community, enhancing one of Torquay’s most recognisable waterfront locations for residents, businesses and visitors alike.”
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