Rogue delivery drivers 'putting lives at risk ' in Torquay car ban street

Rogue delivery drivers who defy a Torbay pedestrian zone and clock up dozens of fines are getting around them fines by simply dumping their ‘old banger’ cars.
The problem has become so bad in the town centre that one councillor said it was hardly worth having it pedestrianised at all.
Buses are allowed in Torquay’s Fleet Street, as are taxis and emergency vehicles. Delivery lorries are allowed in before 10am and after 6pm, but apart from that there should be no traffic in the busy shopping street at all.
But Torbay Council’s cabinet heard that delivery drivers were flouting the regulations and taking short cuts through the town.
Cllr Hayley Tranter (Con, Goodrington with Roselands) said: “There’s a real issue with delivery drivers, particularly Evri and Deliveroo.
“A lot of them are getting constant tickets, but the cars aren’t always registered to the people who are driving them. They’re not bothered if they get a ticket. The cars are old bangers and they’re disposable.”
Earlier this year Cllr Mandy Darling (Lib Dem, Tormohun) urged the council to curb the problems by installing a barrier that could be raised and lowered to allow buses, taxis and emergency vehicles through.
The council said it would be too complicated and expensive, but Cllr Darling warned that the rogue drivers were putting lives at risk.
A new rank for four taxis is being created in Fleet Street, and Cllr Cordelia Law (Lib Dem, Tormohun) said: “It looks as if we are encouraging even more traffic into a pedestrian zone.
“Is it maybe time to abandon the pretence of Fleet Street being a safe pedestrian area?”
Cllr Tranter said that if deliveries from a particular shop or takeaway were causing problems, the council could ask the business owner to take action.