Chris Bray

The long awaited cycle-pedestrian route between Teignmouth and Newton Abbot has been given a £330,000 boost. Devon County Council has allocated the cash towards linking up the two towns, alongside the Teign estuary.Now local councillors and cycling groups hope that the cash injection will be the start of making the ‘gem’ of a route a reality at last.The money was approved by the executive committee, and comes from the government allocation for transport.Teignmouth county, district and town councillor David Cox, said he hoped even more funds might come from the £60million windfall from the sale of Exeter Airport.He added: “It is great news. I know it has been talked about for several years, and many people were becoming frustrated at the lack of action, but now this could kickstart the project from the Teignmouth end.“Sustrans (the sustainable transport organisation) has already allocated a large sum for the link between Kingsteignton and Newton Abbot, and officers will now be finalising the preferred route from Teignmouth.“It will probably run behind the docks, past the rugby club, and under Shaldon Bridge towards Bishopsteignton.” Fellow Teignmouth county councillor, Chris Bray, shared the enthusiasm, and added: “It would be a gem of a route because it so picturesque. “It ticks all the boxes because it is flat, and would attract commuters, leisure cyclists, families, locals and holidaymakers. “The main A381 road between Teignmouth and Newton Abbot is not suitable for novice cyclists and children because of the many heavy lorries that use it to and from the docks. “But a safe, cycle and pedestrian path would be ideal, taking cars off the road and reducing pollution and emissions. People from the Newton area would be able to cycle to the beaches in a few minutes, without the bother of parking the car.” And another estuary county councillor, John Smith, the deputy leader who represents Kingsteignton, was equally enthusiastic. “It will benefit the whole area, and give a big economic boost to local businesses because it would attract walkers and cyclists all the year around,” he said. Cllr Cox added that the final route could be held up because of objections from some landowners around Bishopsteignton, but he hoped the problems could be resolved in an amicable manner. He would now be pressing officers to work towards seeking planning permission for a route. “I am sure public opinion is behind this scheme, and the more support we get the better,” he said.