Latest section of Stop Line Way opens
The latest section of the Stop Line Way walking and cycling route has opened to the public.
The one kilometre section, from Seaton to Colyford, has been developed by Devon County Council over the past four months by JTT Contracting Ltd. Councillors will visit the new trail on Tuesday (20 October) at 10:30am to mark the opening.
The route, which was granted planning permission in September 2011, provides an off-road connection from the cemetery, near Marsh Lane, in Seaton, to Colyford Common near the junction of Seaton Road/Popes Lane, in Colyford.
Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council Cabinet Member with responsibility for cycling, said: “The Stop Line Way has been years in the planning but it is gradually taking shape and this is another important piece in the jigsaw of the route through Devon. This trail is a great asset to communities in East Devon and will enable visitors and local residents to enjoy this part of the county on foot or by bike.”
Councillor Sara Randall Johnson, local County Councillor for Honiton St Michael’s, said: “The people of Colyford and Colyton are delighted that locals and visitors alike can now cycle or walk to Seaton on this new and exciting route. I am continuing to work with the Burgesses of Colyford on the next off road section to Cownhayne Lane and look forward to its completion.”
Councillor Jim Knight, local County Councillor for Seaton Coastal, said: “I am delighted that another section of the stop line way has come to fruition and residents and visitors with their children can now travel off road to enjoy the sights offered by both Colyford and Seaton. The final sections in our area still await completion and I do seriously hope that they will be completed in the very near future.”
East Devon District Council Environment Portfolio Holder Councillor Iain Chubb said: “This is a fantastic new visitor attraction for the Council’s Seaton Wetlands, which we hope will bring lots of additional visitors to this wildlife haven, as well as the Jurassic Coast. The new cycleway will open up the many visitor facilities offered by the Seaton Wetlands, such as bird hides, sand martin cliff and pond dipping area, which together with the new Information Centre will enable cyclists to spend an entire day in a beautiful setting. The Council’s Countryside Team who are based on the Wetlands will be available to give information about the site and provide details of events and activities, which cyclists can get involved with throughout the year.”
The Stop Line Way, which is part of the National Cycle Network Route 33, is being developed in sections. Trafalgar Way opened in December 2009, Aldercar under the A35 into Kilmington parish opened in September 2011, and Cloakham in Axminster to Weycroft in the Axe Valley opened in December 2012.
The route of the trail closely follows, and is named after, the Second World War defences built following the evacuation of the Allies from Dunkirk as the Devon and Cornwall coast was considered too long to defend. Many of the concrete pillboxes and anti-tank gun emplacements remain along the line and can be seen from parts of the cycle route.
In Devon, the route stretches from Seaton Promenade to the county boundary passing through Axminster and will be a largely traffic-free footway and cycleway. When complete the trail will form a 70 mile link from the Bristol Channel to Lyme Bay, passing through Devon, Somerset, and Dorset.
