Students visit cycle route being developed in Exeter

Students from Exeter College and St Luke's College have enjoyed a site visit to the new cycle route currently being constructed on Cumberland Way and Pinhoe Road in Exeter.

The two-way cycle path will form part of a strategic cycle route connecting new developments on the east of Exeter to the university and the city centre.

Work is progressing well on the E4 route, which will be the first two-way, bi-directional cycle track in Devon, and students were able to see first hand how the route is being built.

Devon County Council representatives described the construction work taking place, the importance of improving cycle infrastructure and the processes involved in planning and preparing the works.

For the St Luke's students, the recent site visit contributed towards part of their Geography Urban Growth GCSE module. The Exeter College students are studying a Built Environment and Construction BTEC.

Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council Cabinet Member with responsibility for cycling, said: “This visit by the students was an ideal opportunity for them to get an insight into the planning and construction work involved in developing new cycle ways. It was a great experience for them to be on site and to meet the engineers on site, and it was nice to hear that some of the students said they’ll be looking to explore Exeter and the surrounding area by bike.”

Councillor Hilary Ackland, Devon County Councillor for Pinhoe and Mincinglake, said: "To have the E4 cycle route in Pinhoe, one of the fastest growing areas of Exeter, is an added bonus for all the families moving into their new homes. For the local students visiting the site, seeing how it is constructed brings to life theories learnt in the classroom. Many of the students, showing their enthusiasm for cycling, will be encouraged to pick up the mantle of making Exeter a first class cycle friendly city."

Dave Gifford, Exeter College Construction BTEC programme manager, said: “It’s been really useful for the students to come out and experience real construction happening outside compared with being sat in a classroom. So they’ve seen the theory in the classroom and now get to see the real thing. Hopefully it will encourage them to use the cycle routes as well because they all commute to College because we’re out of the main city centre, so it’s useful for them to see routes to get them in and out of the College.”

James Hudson, Construction BTEC student at Exeter College, said: “We’re studying surveying at the moment so we’re going to take that back and learn some more about what we’ve seen here. I want to go into industry and work on these kinds of projects.”

Justine Colborne, from St Luke’s College, said: “It was great for the year 11 geography students to hear about local planning demands and how the County Council plans to get more people cycling. This was a great case study to support the urban sustainability part of their GCSE. Plus the after school cycle there was an added bonus."

Much of the work between Hollow Lane and the Tithebarn Link Road roundabout, and at the new Monkerton Farm development access road is now complete.

Construction is underway at the Tithebarn Link Road roundabout, which will include a parallel crossing over the new access road. Work is also ongoing on the west of Cumberland Way / Pinhoe Road between Pilton Lane (to the north) and the new Monkerton Farm access road stub (to the south).The route is due to open later this summer.

For more information on the E4 cycle route visit www.new.devon.gov.uk/cumberlandway