TEIGNMOUTH’S seafront road has again been closed to traffic for the summer season despite repeated calls for it to remain open.

Bollards went up at either end of the Upper Den Carriageway on May 1 which has reduced the number of parking spaces in the town.

The closure has come despite efforts by Teignmouth Town Council to keep it open.

And in a public survey conducted by the town council, of more than 600 people who responded, 423 backed keeping the road open.

Most traders and businesses in Teignmouth want it kept open all year too to provide much-needed parking.

However, highways authority Devon County Council has safety concerns over allowing traffic to use to promenade during busy summer months.

The issue has been on the agenda of the Highways and Traffic Orders Committee (HATOC), last year and again in March when it was hoped an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO) could be introduced to remove the ban on cars vehicles but introduce a ban on camper vans and motorhomes from May 1.

However, officers at the meeting advised there was ‘not a realistic timescale, given other outstanding matters and mitigations which could not be carried out under an ETRO’.

This has meant the closure continues for another summer which has angered residents.

Stephen Edge complained that the road had been shut despite ‘very strong public open’ it should stay open.

It has meant the loss of 80 parking spaces and lost revenue estimated to be more than £90,000.

He said: ‘The powers that be are going to kill off Teignmouth for both residents and holiday makers.’

Supporters say introducing a 20mph speed limit, dedicated crossing points and traffic calming measures would satisfy safety concerns.

And they want to restrict use by motorhomes.

Keeping the road open would support local businesses and encourage visitors.

One resident called it ‘absolute madness’.

Another added: I would like it to remain open.

‘We have lost so much parking over the years and in the summer the town gets gridlocked with people driving around trying to get a space, both visitors and locals.’

It was also pointed out that people have the wide promenade to walk along rather than the road.

Most agreed a speed limit was needed and clearly marked pedestrian crossings.

One supporter pointed out: ‘It’s massive parking area closed for no obvious reason.

‘Put speed bumps in if necessary but you can't drive fast down there anyway and children should treat if as any other road.

‘The town is losing a huge amount of tourism revenue and we will lose yet more local businesses.’

It was also argued that the seafront promenade area in Paignton remains open for parking all year.

One frustrated driver said: ‘We drove into town and it took two drives around town to find a parking spot meanwhile around a 100 spaces are empty on the upper den carriageway, makes no sense.’