Work on the improvement works for Royal Terrace Gardens (Rock Walk), Torquay started on 28 January 2008.

A 250 tonne mobile crane has been transported to the seafront ahead of the works which are due to take approximately 3 weeks, weather depending.

You can view some images of the work being carried out in the Related Documents section below.

The council arranged a preliminary inspection of the area in January 2007 and then a further more detailed inspection in March 2007.  The resulting report has highlighted issues relating to the stability of some of the larger trees.

In addition, the planting on the Royal Terrace Gardens has become overgrown and is now obscuring views across the Bay and is compromising security with an increase in anti-social behaviour being reported in the area.

The trees which have been identified as immediately dangerous, within the independent report, will be removed.  All remaining trees which have been inspected as having a safe life of less then 40 years will also be removed, as well as scrub and inappropriate trees and shrubs for the area.

Any tree or plant which would have been part of the original design and is in good condition will be kept and pruned if required.

The work to be carried out is not easy.  Some of the trees are located 60 metres above the road and weigh around 5 to 10 tonnes.  The council has been working closely with its appointed tree work contractor, Devon Tree Services Ltd, to consider all of the possible options taking into consideration the size of the project have decided on a 250 tonne mobile heavy crane with a 70 metre reach.

Due to its size and method of operation we have no alternative but to close the nearby public highway for the duration of the works.

Diversions routes have been put in place - see the image and document below for further details.

A site office for general enquiries and educational events will be available for the duration of the works.

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No. This has now been confirmed independently by the Devon Gardens Trust  working in conjunction with English Heritage .

The crane hire is in the region of £65,000. The total cost of the tree works only is to be in the region of £85,000 to £100,000.

The crane will be supplied and operated by Bryn Thomas Crane Hire Ltd from Flintshire.  However, it is currently working in Plymouth therefore we are able to secure a reduced rate avoiding travel costs.

It reaches up to 70M and can lift weights of up to 250 tonnes

It is one of only two in the country of this size available

Work will be carried out into the evenings (with lighting) and at weekends to ensure it is completed as quickly as possible.

The work to be carried out is not easy. Some of the trees are located 60 metres above the road and weigh around 5 to 10 tonnes.

The council explored several options including a helicopter to lift the trees from the area, however, this would involve closing roads, footpaths and the inner seafront within the flight path including all of Torre Abbey Meadows.

We have consulted the performance times for the Princess Theatre and planned the work around its quietest time. We have also discussed the working arrangements with the Torbay Hotel to avoid any disruption to their guests.

Yes. Presentation boards have been produced by a landscape architect which focus on the visualisation and concept plans of Rock Walk for the future. The boards also include some historic photos of the site and a landscape masterplan. View the boards in the Related Documents.

Map of the Rock Walk Diversion Route

Road List of the Rock Walk Diversion Route