A further reminder following on from the article in October's newsletter:

There has long been a desire for a proper multi purpose route between Crediton and Exeter, which would benefit cyclists, motorists, wheelchair users and pedestrians. The A377 is not a good route to cycle along and motorists get frustrated at not being able to overtake cyclists either on their own or in a group. The Boniface Trail Association was set up about 14 years to work out a possible route . Much of their original route was the section from Crediton to Newton St Cyres, involving negotiations with the Quicke family who owned much of that land. Devon County Council are following up on this and are carrying out a consultation which is open till the 30th November. Details are here. 

They are putting forward two options:

One is a the A377 alignment and another what they call the Quiet Lanes alignment. The A377 route would run alongside the A377 from Crediton up to Cowley Bridge. The section up to Newton St Cyres is relatively easy and would be similar to the one worked out by the original group. The regulations set out by DCC and nationally for the standards for cycle paths eg width mean that some changes have had to be made. However the second half up to Cowley bridge is more difficult since there are a number of 'pinch points' where the path would have to diverge from the road and go behind houses.

The Quiet Lanes alignment would go along roads which many of use at present to avoid the A377 up to near Langford where a new route would be developed from existing footpaths. It would come out on the A377 and then along St Andrews Road, which is not safe or pleasant to cycle along.

It is clear that DCC favour the Quiet Lanes route. It is much less expensive and so could be delivered more quickly. However it is not what many of us cyclists would want since it is longer so many cyclists would continue to use the A377. The Boniface Trail Association had many discussions with farmers and landowners but DCC do not seem to have taken full account of this work. We would like them to work more closely with the Boniface Trail Association.

At present neither route is very high in the priority order for cycle routes in Devon. Vigorous campaigning will be necessary to enable a cycle route to be developed for the benefit of all of us, motorists, cyclists and wheelchair users, for a reduction in carbon emissions and an improvement in our health.

As a first step please respond to the consultation to show your interest.

Gerald Conyngham