Dates revealed for Paignton seafront work

Improvements will also be made to Preston

Work on multi-million-pound flood defences at Paignton will begin next month.

Torbay Council has revealed the exact dates when the massive project to safeguard low-lying areas of the town from flooding will begin.

More than £13million in government money is being spent on the scheme, which will give Paignton seafront and neighbouring Preston seafront a complete revamp.

New public areas will be created along with defences which are designed to keep the town safe from storms and flooding as sea levels rise in coming years due to climate change.

Work will start at Paignton on September 22, followed by a start at Preston on September 30.

“This will allow a clear summer season before work starts,” said a council spokesperson.

“The scheme will deliver long term benefits for all to enjoy, securing the future of Paignton and Preston.”

Work at Paignton will be done in three separate phases lasting until May 2027. The Preston development will be carried out in a single phase, with work going on from next month through to December 2026.

There have already been objections from owners of some beach huts at Preston, who say the council should ‘phase’ the work there to allow some beach huts to remain in place.

The plan is to have no beach huts at all along the prom for the 2026 summer season, although the council has pledged that access to the beach itself will remain open throughout the work.

It is also considering creating temporary lockers and toilets for the duration of the project.

A briefing sent to councillors said: “Construction of a scheme of this size will take time and is likely to include some disruption. Our intention is to minimise the impact on local tourism, businesses and people who regularly use the seafront areas.

“We have had many conversations with beach hut users and understand local concern around the disruption the Paignton and Preston Promenade coastal flood protection scheme development will cause.”

On the issue of removing Preston’s beach huts for 2026 the spokesperson went on: “We understand that this will be disappointing to beach hut users and have not made the decision lightly. The scheme is however essential to protect the long-term future and enjoyment of Preston Sands.”