‘Transformational’ plans to develop walking and cycling routes backed

A series of ‘ambitious’ and ‘transformational’ plans to develop cycling and walking improvements across Devon has been given the greenlight by members of Devon County Councils ruling cabinet.

At Cabinet this week councillors backed several Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans (LCWIPs).

These outline their priorities for cycling and walking improvements over the next 10 to 20 years and include areas such as Tiverton, Cullompton and the Clyst Valley.

The adoption of LCWIPs puts the County in the strongest possible position for bidding for Government funding for walking and cycle schemes, as well as leveraging external grants and for use in negotiations with developers.

While supporting increased walking and cycling levels across Devon, the plans also support their response to the climate crisis, improving the health and wellbeing of residents as well as delivering economic benefits in the county.

Schemes have been prioritised based on where the greatest impact can be made in increasing the number of people who choose to walk or cycle.

Factors considered include whether an alternative route exists nearby, how the links serve key journey types such as travel to school, work and for leisure, and where the potential is greatest to attract developer funding due to planned growth in these areas.

The Cullompton and Tiverton LCWIP focuses on the strategic housing growth area of Cullompton and the proposed Culm Garden Village and links in and around Tiverton, to Tiverton Parkway and towards Exeter.

Clyst Valley and New Communities LCWIP covers the area of strategic housing growth in East Devon from Killerton to Topsham, and from the Exeter boundary out towards Whimple and communities including Clyst Honiton, West Clyst, Clyst St Mary and on to the Exe Estuary Trail.

While the Devon Countywide LCWIP complements Devon’s urban-focussed LCWIPs with aspirational long-term rural multi-use trail routes across the entire county, connecting Devon’s communities with our coast and countryside.

It focuses on 10 routes ranging from the Otter Trail, the Sidbury to Sidford and Beer to Aximister Routes in East Devon to Ashburton to Buckfastleigh in Teignbridge, the Boniface Trail in Mid Devon and Exeter, the Tarka Trail and the Roborough to Dousland Route in West Devon.

Councillors also supported the inclusion of a Totnes to Newton Abbot shared walking and cycling route  via Littlehempston into the South Hams LCWIP being currently drawn up by South Hams District Council.

• While these plans include ambitions to deliver proposals, their inclusion does not guarantee these will be achieved. Schemes still need to undergo detailed design, and the securing of any necessary third-party land and formal approval for construction once funding has been secured.