From Pam Newby, Exeter 383654, June 22,2007

Bus passengers are benefiting from the latest stage of the regeneration of Bideford Quay.

New bus shelters were installed as part of the scheme but waiting passengers found they were a bit draughty on rainy and windy days.

They brought their concern to local Devon County Councillor Hugo Barton who alerted the Torridge County Committee. Each County Committee has been given its own budget to support local projects and members agreed funding should be given to provide sides to the shelters.

Cllr Barton said: "As I walked along The Quay it was evident that though attractive, the shelters were not altogether fit for purpose in that they afforded little protection in inclement weather. Combined with comments I received, I decided that the addition of end panels was essential and wrote to the Town Council and Bridge Trust to see if they would support me in this venture. They did, for which I'm very grateful, and we now have bus shelters that will do more to encourage people to use this sustainable form of transport."

The Mayor of Bideford, Cllr David Ratcliff, said: "Bideford Town Council would like to thank both Devon County Council and The Bridge Trust as co-operative partners in ensuring that this project, which is now completed, is proof that we work alongside each other with a common view, for the benefit of residents of and visitors to Bideford."

The regeneration of Bideford Quay, which was a joint project by Devon County Council and Torridge District Council in collaboration with the Environment Agency, has attracted national attention. It has been highlighted by the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) as an outstanding example of street redesign.

The Quay features in as a case study in a newly launched section of the CABE website that highlights the best buildings and places in the country. The case study can be found at http://cabe.org.uk/default.aspx?contentitemid=1892field=btstrterm=Streetstype=1

The scheme is also featured in an edition of GreenPlaces, the monthly magazine for landscape designers, as an examplar of good street design. The article describes the Quay scheme with an explanation of its design principles, its ingredients for success and several photographs.

Commenting on the Bideford Quay refurbishment the magazine says: "The regeneration scheme has restored a more formal boulevard character to the Quay and retained the interaction of port activities, tourism, trade, parking and passing traffic in flexible and unfussy harmony.

"Achieving this positive result was not easy - the project was complex and there were many different opinions to reconcile, from all the agencies involved and the public. On top of this, timescales were limited.

"The most emotive issue proved to be the replacement of the randomly planted trees that were of varying ages and species. Some local people and media were initially opposed to this change, but the County Council eventually won public support by addressing the issue head on, producing a clear logical argument for replanting and building on the visible qualities of the first phase of the scheme. The trees were replaced with a more formal avenue of ash trees.

"The regeneration of Bideford Quay is a great example of the role that waterfront public realm plays in the revival of our coastal settlements. And it also tells an interesting story about how necessary steps to protect a region against the effects of climate change resulted in a strikingly contemporary public space and a practical new streetscape."

Cllr Barton was among the interviewees for the magazine article.

"When the Environment Agency proposed a flood prevention scheme for Bideford to protect properties and businesses, it was the catalyst for the County Council with the help of Torridge District Council to visit the design and lay-out of The Quay," he said.

"To be mentioned in 'architectural despatches' is in indeed a feather in Bideford's cap and I feel that, although there were challenges in the process, what we see more than vindicates our resolve. It has already acted as a boost to the regeneration of the town, witness the farmers' markets, and will, I believe, result in further benefits such as tourism and the capacity of the working port."

Note to Editors:

Cllr Barton can be contacted on 01805 624768

Cllr Ratcliff can be contacted on 01237 424921