Torquay’s Architectural Heritage Hidden Behind Rubbish Bins
Residents express concern over unsightly wheelie bins in historic Torquay
Torquay, UK, Fleet Street, Waste Management, Architectural Heritage
Torquay: Fleet Street has seen some changes lately, and not everyone is happy about it. Locals are voicing their concerns over the growing number of wheelie bins cluttering the street.
Graham Wheatley, a local history buff and contributor to the Undiscovered Torbay Facebook group, has been vocal about this issue. He pointed out that these bins are taking over a key semi-pedestrianised area.
Graham shared his thoughts, saying that while change is part of life, some changes are harder to swallow than others. He even posted photos showing how the street has transformed over the past five years.
He noted that the bins are not just a temporary fix. They’re now a permanent fixture, and they don’t exactly blend in with Torquay’s beautiful architecture, like the Vivian Institute.
His post sparked a lively discussion, with over 70 comments from locals sharing their views. Many agreed with Graham, saying that while waste management is important, there must be better ways to handle it without ruining the look of such a historic area.
One local, Viv Crees, mentioned that she counts the bins every time she visits her favorite coffee shop—21 in total! She called them an absolute eyesore.
Others chimed in with suggestions, sharing images of smarter waste solutions from around the world. Julian Fisher brought up the underground bins in Amsterdam, while Geoff Norcott showed off some stylish bins from other European cities.
What do you think? How can we make Fleet Street better? Feel free to share your ideas with us!