THE DESIGN for a new archway at the top of Fore Street has been decided.

The wrought iron arch will guide visitors from High Street and the shopping area, down Fore Street towards the harbour.

A group of traders, tourism providers and representatives from local authorities, working with North Devon+ Joint Delivery Team, (JDT) made the choice from options put forward by Grainge Architects.

Sally Nelson from JDT said that work would start on the detailed design, so that an application could go to the Highways Authority and North Devon Council's planners, with the aim of putting it up as soon as possible, following a tender process for the manufacture.

There are also several ideas in the pipeline for the reverse journey from the harbour, up Fore Street to the High Street.

Sally said that having spoken to highways it was clear that plans to put tables and chairs outside the corner restaurant "Take Thyme" would need more work.

She said: "People will already walk from the Quay, along St James' Place, because they can see there is a clear route, but we also want them to walk the length of Broad Street so they discover Fore Street — and the Signage Group agreed that tables and chairs in this area would be a better draw than any signpost.