Councils united in support for Teign Estuary Trail

A joint letter has been sent to Sustrans expressing support from a number of local councils for the delivery of the Teign Estuary Trail.

Devon County Council, Teignbridge District Council, and town and parish councils on the Estuary have signed up to the letter which sets out the progress that has been made and the joint commitment being made by the local authorities to continue moving forward with the scheme.

Design work is progressing on outstanding sections of the Teign Estuary Trail. Devon County Council and Teignbridge District Council both committed £200,000 earlier this year to prepare and submit a planning application for a missing link between Passage House Inn and Teignmouth.

A route between Dawlish and Holcombe has also been identified, fully designed and ready to deliver, subject to funding becoming available.

Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Highway Management, said: “This is an opportunity to remind Sustrans that this is a key project for a number of authorities and how well supported it is by local councils and members of the public. We are committed to delivering the Teign Estuary Trail and we will continue to work with partners and local communities to ensure its delivery.”

Councillor Ron Peart, Devon County Councillor for Kingsteignton and the Teign Estuary, said: "I fully support the Teign Estuary Trail. It will bring great health benefits for the many people who will use it and increase income for local businesses."

Councillor Gordon Hook, Leader of Teignbridge District Council, said: “The completion of the cycleway section between Newton Abbot and Teignmouth is of the utmost importance and will prove to be of enormous benefit to so many. This is a small but welcome step towards that highly desirable end product and consequently I welcome this proposal without reservation. The sooner this is built the better. Let’s get on with it!”

The first section of the Teign Estuary Trail between Town Quay, Newton Abbot and Kingsteignton was opened in March 2013. The stretch from Newton Abbot Racecourse to Passage House Inn was delivered in Spring 2018.

Discussions are also ongoing with Network Rail on providing walking and cycling infrastructure as part of its improvements in the area as the County Council looks to extend the route from Holcombe to Teignmouth town centre.

The local authorities are continuing to engage with partners and the local community on progress of the Trail. Devon County Council, Teignbridge District Council and Bishopsteignton Parish Council recently attended Bishopsteignton Festival to gather community input on the planning application being prepared for the Teign Estuary Trail. Local walking and cycling group ‘Save the Teign Estuary Trail Group’ also helped out at the event.