Work to start on missing link of The Granite Way

Work on a missing link of one of Devon’s flagship cycle trails is to start within days and is hoped to be open this summer, following approval from Devon County Council’s Cabinet and successful conclusion of land negotiations.

Councillors have supported the £505,000 scheme which will close the final gap along The Granite Way. The route is part of a number of high profile National and International Trails which include, the Devon Coast to Coast, the National Cycle Network (NCN) Route 27, the Cycle West Velodyssey route which runs from North Devon down through France to Northern Spain and the longer distance Eurovelo Route EV1 which runs from Southern Spain to Norway .

Developing the section from Southerly to Station Road, Bridestowe, will provide a more direct off-road trail which will follow the former Southern region railway line where possible. It will replace the interim route which is on road, and will complete the nine mile route from Okehampton to Lydford.

The scheme is being funded by Devon County Council’s Strategic Cycle Network budget, with £20,000 of the total coming from Dartmoor National Park Authority’s Sustainable Development Fund. It is hoped that work will be completed this summer.

Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Highways and Transportation, said: “The Granite Way is already a popular route and filling this gap can only increase the numbers of visitors, and visitor spending in the area. At the moment the trail is broken into two pieces, so this will create what many people are looking for – a complete length of off-road, high quality trail through spectacular scenery. It will also make far better use of the investment made to date.”

Councillor Christine Marsh, Devon County Councillor for Okehampton Rural, said: “A lot of local residents and local people who use the trail have been keen to see The Granite Way completed, so I’m sure they will be delighted. This is the last of 31 land agreements that have been needed to finally bring this route together, which demonstrates the scale of the task in developing this scenic route, and we are grateful to have had the support of the Dartmoor National Park Authority. The trail is already an important asset to the area but its completion is sure to attract even more visitors which is very good news for the local economy.”

The route also includes a parallel horse riding route linking bridleways from Lydford to Dartmoor, without crossing the A386.