Teign Estuary Trail proposals to go before Cabinet
Proposals to progress with a planning application for the next section of the Teign Estuary Trail and a strategy to complete gaps in the route will go before Devon County Councillors next week (Wednesday 13 March).
The County Council's Cabinet is being asked to approve the Teign Estuary Trail strategy to connect the route between Passage House Inn and Dawlish.
A recommendation is also being made to agree to progress with a planning application for the section between Passage House Inn and Teignmouth. Teignbridge District Council has committed to contribute £200,000 of Community Infrastructure Levy funding towards the cost of preparing and submitting this application.
The first section of the Teign Estuary Trail between Kingsteignton and Town Quay, in Newton Abbot, has seen 380,000 trips since it opened in 2013 - an average of over 180 per day.
Another section of the Trail, linking Newton Abbot Racecourse to Passage House Inn, opened last April. However, a gap remains on the coastal walking and cycling route between Passage House Inn and Dawlish.
Developing this part of the Trail would be split into sections -
A stretch from the end of the current section at Passage House Inn to Bishopsteignton, where the majority of this route runs inland of the railway;
A route from Church Road in Bishopsteignton to the junction of Newfoundland Road and Morrisons in Teignmouth, would use old sections of road to the north of the A381.
A route between Teignmouth and Holcombe has been designed and could be delivered as permitted development, without the need for planning permission, if funding can be secured. However, initial investigations suggest that the section through Teignmouth town centre is more challenging and it's proposed that this could be explored further as suitable funding is identified.
Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Highway Management, said: “There is strong support for the Teign Estuary Trail and it has always been a key part of the County Council’s cycling strategy. We have seen Teignbridge District Council commit funding to go towards the preparation of a planning application and we welcome their support. If the Cabinet supports the recommendations, further developing this route will provide substantial economic, health and environmental benefits in the area.”
Councillor Ron Peart, Devon County Councillor for Kingsteignton and Teign Estuary, said: “I'm pleased that Devon County Council is working closely with Teignbridge District Council and liaising with Bishopsteignton Parish Council and other stakeholders. I’m sure everyone will welcome this latest investment to move the Teign Estuary Trail another step closer to becoming a reality and this latest step is encouraging progress.”
Devon County Council’s strategic vision is to link the Exe Estuary Trail to the Teign Estuary Trail, taking in Dawlish, Teignmouth, Bishopsteignton, and Kingsteignton. The development of the Trail would also link to an emerging network of routes in and around Newton Abbot.
The County Council is continuing to hold regular meetings with stakeholders, including the Teign Estuary Trail Campaign Group, Bishopsteignton Parish Council, affected landowners and local councillors.
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