COUNCILLOR CALLS FOR END TO TOURISM EYESORE

9.33.38am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 6th Aug 2007

The Liberal Democrat Councillor for Tormohun, Jenny Faulkner, is calling on Conservative run Torbay Council to tidy up a tourism eyesore.

Building work taking place at Lymington Road Coach Station, a gateway for tourists coming in and out of Torbay, is being hidden from view by a temporary wall which the Councillor has branded "intimidating". Councillor Faulkner is calling for local young people to be able to draw murals and paintings on the wall to brighten it up.

Councillor Jenny Faulkner said:

"The current set up is an eyesore, and must be really off putting for tourists coming to the Bay. It does not really matter if the Mayor removes the word 'English' from the brand 'English Riviera' if all tourists see when the enter Torquay is an intimidating wall.

"I am calling on the Council to allow local young people to be allowed to draw and paint murals on the wall. This would be a win-win situation for the Council and local people - not only would the area be brightened up for tourists and residents alike, but it would also give our young people something to do. And it need not cost the Council anything. I know a lot of young people ready and willing to do this."