Council determined to deliver Teign Estuary Trail

Devon County Council has expressed its determination to deliver the Teign Estuary Trail and has called on the local community to work with them to make it happen.

An update on the progress of the Trail was reported at this week's (Wednesday 8 January) Cabinet meeting, and outlined that the scheme is estimated to cost up to £20 million.

Councillors agreed that detailed design for the 2.5 mile section from Kingsteignton to Bishopsteignton should be completed and purchase of the land progressed. This section, which will follow the rail line where possible, is expected to cost around £2.5 million.

Around £780,000 of Investing in Devon funding remains allocated to the scheme and will be used for the design, land purchase and a contribution towards construction. Further funding will need to be identified for the remainder.

Cabinet also invited local communities, interested groups and parties to work with the County Council to identify a viable solution for a link between Bishopsteignton, Teignmouth town centre and onto Dawlish.

However, it was also agreed that no further design work would be carried out on the Bishopsteignton to Polly Steps estuaryside route until alternative options and potential funding sources have been explored.

The first section of the Teign Estuary Trail at Town Quay, between Newton Abbot and Kingsteignton, opened in March last year. Since then over 43,000 trips have been made on the route, an average of over 155 per day.

The route would be accessible to walkers, cyclists and people with wheelchairs and mobility scooters. It would benefit local economic growth by attracting tourism, including day visitors, and is seen as offering substantial health benefits by encouraging the growing culture of walking and cycling which has been experienced in Exeter and elsewhere in Devon.

Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Highway Management, said that extending the existing Teign and Exe Estuary routes to connect Dawlish, Teignmouth and Newton Abbot would provide a “showcase” route. He said: “The amount of local support and ambition for a route along the estuary is very welcome. There are considerable challenges to delivering a scheme that delivers the benefits that all parties aspire to, but the first section of the route to Bishopsteignton should be progressed and we should take the opportunity to review the rest of the route to ensure we have a scheme that is deliverable.”

However, councillors added a note of caution on the future capital funding for transport projects. The Government has stated that about half of transport capital funding for the period 2015/16 to 2018/19 will be diverted from highway authorities’ Local Transport Plans and instead will be allocated through the Single Local Growth Fund, administered by the Local Enterprise Partnership.

Councillor Hughes added: “We are entering a new era where much of the capital funding will come from the Local Enterprise Partnership. Capital funding will be hard to come by, but experience shows that if we push ahead with the development of a good scheme then if we are resilient and determined it will be delivered. It always takes time. It has taken 30 years to build the Tarka Trail and we’re still providing links to it. Interested groups and parties are being asked to work with the Council on this route and if they can get together I’m sure this scheme will be delivered.”

Cabinet previously agreed an outline alignment for the route between Kingsteignton and Teignmouth rail station/town centre at its meeting on 13 February 2013. The report before Cabinet described the section from Bishopsteignton to Teignmouth as “particularly challenging” due to the environmental constraints posed by the Estuary and Teignmouth Port.

Councillor Richard Younger-Ross, County Councillor for Teignmouth, said: “The progress being shown is very positive. Everyone appreciates there are difficulties in the design between Bishopsteignton and Teignmouth, and it is a welcome move to look at Dawlish to Teignmouth. What we have to agree on now is the timetable for planning, land acquisition and consultation for the Bishopsteignton to Teignmouth section.”

Councillor Chris Clarance, County Councillor for the Teign Estuary, said: “Everybody knows the economic benefit that this route will bring. We’re all thrilled about what’s going on with the route – the bridge over the Teign has been a flagship structure and money has been spent on the route. You have to be congratulated for putting in the Toucan crossing that links Bishopsteignton to what will be the route. I welcome asking local communities and groups to be involved and there are options for them to consider.”

Developing the Teign Estuary Trail would also link to an emerging network of routes centred on Newton Abbot, which would connect Newton Abbot to Bovey Tracey and Moretonhampstead as well as to Kingskerswell and Torbay, which are set to be built by 2015/16.