The Strand is a prominent stretch of carriageway on the English Riviera in Torquay, overlooking the Old Harbour. Torbay Council envisaged this previously car-dominated stretch as a revitalised public space, and BD have worked closely with highways and the design team to achieve this vision.
The landscape concept focused on a generously expanded pedestrianised area; reimagined in robust materials inspired by the distinctive historic character of the town; and linking people to the natural beauty of the Tor Bay.
A key aspect has been to bring the grade II listed Clock Tower into the pedestrianised area, which provides a focal point and historic connection - previously lost when surrounded by traffic. Carefully located seating and high quality paving knits the space to its harbour outlook and draws on the historic granite materiality of the area. By keeping the design uncluttered, the series of open spaces also allows the Strand to facilitate a variety of seasonal activities, such as markets and small pop-up events.
The landscape is truly multi-functional, with biodiverse planting beds also forming an integral part of the Strand's Sustainable Drainage System, catching and filtering surface water. A dedicated cycle route is also provided to connect Victoria Parade and Torwood Street to Cary Parade.
BD have enjoyed being a key part of the wider regeneration of Torbay, and have been working over several years with our design team colleagues to bring hard-working, high-quality landscape designs to sites ranging from The Strand, to Abbey Sands public realm, to Paignton Station.
The Strand Harbour Public Realm won a prestigious CIHT (Chartered Institute of Highways & Transportation) Creating Better Places Award.
"It was brilliant to see the completed public realm offering flexible space for pop-up events and people taking the opportunity to stop, sit and look out over the harbour or have a photograph with the Agatha Christie sculpture."
Helen Kirk (Senior Associate, BD)
