A Bit Of Background
For those familar with the broad sweep of the seafront at Torquay to the west of the busy central area, it may be easy to forget that this is very much “new” Torquay!
The town owes its name to the magnificent and ancient Torre Abbey …
… whch then gave its name to a quay around which the modern town developed; Torre Quay.
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The road at the water’s edge was named “The Strand” …
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… which is centre right in the picture above. In 1902 The Strand was adorned with the Mallock Monument a k a The Clock Tower.
The clock tower was designed by John Donkin, a local architect from Bournemouth. It was erected by public subscription and completed in 1902, commemorating Richard Mallock, a prominent local figure who owned nearby Cockington and was a Member of Parliament for Torquay.
In 1907, trams joined the somewhat limited bus service.
Thus it was that The Strand developed into Torbay’s de facto bus station. The main incumbent became Devon General …
… which, of course, all became part of the National Bus Company. [unlike the other pictures of The Strand, this below is looking east towards the clock tower].
Under privatisation, Torquay became one of the Harry Blundred minibus towns (just like Exeter) …
… then Stagecoach bought out Sir Harry and thus things ultimately became stable, operator-wise until the present day.
Note the shelter to the right with its string of bus stop signs, one on each pillar …
… and far too close to be any use to passenger queue control! These have now disappeared.
But the calm and heritage of The Strand as a bus station is undergoing a significant change. Torbay Council have a cunning plan!
Next Wantage wandering blog : Mon 21 Oct