Save Queen Street Newton Abbot

The Queen Street Traders and Residents Association (QSTAR) has been set up to challenge the 'Pedestrian Enhancements' being forced on Newton Abbot by Devon County Council (DCC) and Teignbridge District Council (TDC). QSTAR is calling for the scheme to be altered to one that carries the broad support of the traders and residents - eg making improvements to the street but retaining parking and access. With works underway, the only route left open to challenge this is through the courts. 

The universally unpopular scheme is underwritten financially by the Future High Street Fund. The government grant has the stated aim 'to renew and reshape town centres and high streets in a way that drives growth, improves experience and ensures future sustainability.' The town's traders, national retailers, Newton Abbot Town Council and the Federation of Small Businesses have collectively articulated how the scheme will have the opposite effect and wreak irreparable damage on the town. 

We are asking you to back the crowdfunder in our attempt to change the scheme and halt the needless destruction of successful businesses on a thriving shopping street.

After the TDC and DCC failed to respond to these repeated calls to alter the scheme, QSTAR engaged Lodders Solicitors to outline the legal failings - these include serious concerns of increased air pollution, failures in meeting the equality act (for blue badge parking), misrepresentation of the consultations and predetermination. It is a matter of record that both the public and traders have consistetently opposed the removal of parking and vehicle access, and the survey results that demonstrated this fact were understated and misrepresented within the councils own consultation reports.  

The letter from Lodders to DCC (at the very foot the page) was sent in advance of the commencement of works. With the legal advice being that an injunction could not be issued to halt the works, the scheme works began on 28th May without DCC replying to the letter or addressing resident or trader concerns in any way.

A response to the Lodders letter has been received a month after works had commenced from DCC, defending its position. Hence we now sadly need to proceed to engage a barrister. 

Queen Street is a secondary trading area of Newton Abbot that relies on 'pop and shop' which prior to the works, was positively 'thriving', unlike the already pedestrianised areas of the town. The TDC owned and operated Market Square now has a vacancy rate over 50% whereas Queen Street was at 6% prior to the works. Newton Abbot Town Council, which has never supported the scheme, held an extraordinary General Meeting in March which demanded it be scrapped. The Federation of Small Business has also made a similar request. James Timpson (now member of the Labour Cabinet) who operates three trading units in the vicinity also expressed his grave concerns about the scheme, suggesting like other national retailers, they are likely to withdraw from the town.  

Please back our crowdfunder with any donation you can manage to help #SAVEQUEENSTREET.

The following correspondence shows the lack of accountability that both DCC and TDC have demonstrated in proceeding with the scheme despite well articulated objections. These include the following representations:

Letter sent in objection to the Queen Street Traffic Orders by James Timpson OBE.

Letter sent by Newton Abbot Town Council which was ignored by both Devon County Council and Teignbridge District Council. 

Letter sent by the Federation of Small Businesses to Leader of TDC Martin Wrigley. The Leader of TDC, who is now the MP for Newton Abbot, did not reply to the Federation.

Letter sent on behalf of Queen Street Traders and Residents Association to Devon County Council outlining the serious legal failings of the Queen Street scheme.