Torquay road still closed 2 months after fire

Shedden Hill Road connects town to seafront.

Shedden Hill Road was shut to traffic after fire broke out at the Shedden Hall Hotel in early June.

Torbay Council says it will have to remain closed until at least the middle of August before a full safety assessment can be carried out.

A pedestrian route was opened shortly after the fire but traffic remained barred after an inspection found a hotel cellar extended under the highway.

Torbay Council says it is currently unable to assess whether the highway is fully supported and safe to reopen because the damaged property is connected to the path and road.

The council is waiting for clearance work at the hotel site to allow a proper inspection.

Part of the former hotel structure was demolished after the fire because it was dangerous.

More than 50 firefighters tackled the blaze which was reported just before 7am on Tuesday, June 4.

The fire produced a thick column of smoke which could be seen across Torbay and left the Victorian villa badly damaged.

The former hotel which closed around nine years ago was being redeveloped for flats and houses.

A local building company was given planning permission in May 2017 to convert the main building into four flats, demolish modern extensions and build seven houses in the grounds.

Work was understood to have started at the site before the fire which police confirmed was being treated as arson.

David Jarratt, 80, who lives in the St Luke’s Road area, said the closure meant he had to take a 1.2 mile detour to get to the seafront.

He said: “The footpath is available so people can walk down, but I can’t walk because it is too steep. 

“I need my car like other people to get to the seafront and get to Paignton, without going round in circles.”

A Torbay Council spokesperson said: “Shedden Hill Road is likely to remain closed to vehicles until at least the middle of August while more clearance work by the owner of the demolished hotel takes place.”