As reported in last month’s newsletter, the Devon County Council cabinet will be meeting to discuss a paper on the top 10 prospective cycle routes in Devon. The meeting has now been rescheduled to 14th January 2026 at County Hall starting at 10.30am. The Boniface Trail is amongst these 10 routes. You can see the all the routes here.
What can we do about making the Boniface Trail the number one priority? Well here are 2 ideas:
- Can you write to all of the cabinet members showing your support for the route. To make it easier for you we have drafted an email (below) and also have a list of the contact details for all of the cabinet. It can be as easy as copying and pasting the text into an email and copying and pasting the email addresses of the cabinet members into the BCC section. Make sure you add your name at the bottom and send. Multiple emails in about a minute. The more emails received the more difficult it will be to ignore our voice.
- Could you make it to County Hall for the cabinet meeting? A visible presence showing support for the Boniface Trail can only help the cause.
Dear Councillor xx
I am writing to you in support of the proposed cycle / multi use pathway from Crediton to Exeter, popularly referred to as the Boniface Trail.
I understand that the cabinet for Devon County Council will be meeting on 14th January to consider a report on various cycle routes within Devon, including the proposal for a Crediton to Exeter route. In reaching any decisions, I would ask you to take into account my observations.
Crediton has a population of approximately 8,500. The distance from Crediton to Exeter, centre to centre, is 8.5 miles. This is a very cyclable distance for reasonably active cyclists and as such lends itself to commuting as well as leisure cycling trips. By Devon standards, the terrain between Crediton and Exeter is not excessively hilly. There is no other settlement of comparable size and proximity to Exeter. For these reasons, I believe this makes a powerful case for the Boniface Trail to be given priority.
The A377 from Crediton to Exeter is extremely busy and intimidating for the relatively few cyclists who at present brave this option.
I understand that the council has before it two options for the Crediton to Exeter route. Firstly, what is referred to as the ‘Quiet Lanes’ option, via Sweetham and Langford. Secondly, the construction wherever possible of a new pathway adjoining the A377.
I do not believe that the Quiet Lanes option is suitable for the following reasons:
1. There is a significant level of local traffic on this route, including heavy farm machinery.
2. These lanes are narrow, often twisting with poor sightlines, constrained at times by Devon banks. There is generally insufficient width for cycles and motor vehicles to pass each other comfortably.
3. Surfaces are generally mediocre and potholes often develop. Dangerous to cyclists.
4. The lanes are unlit and entirely unsuitable and dangerous to cycle along on dark winter evenings. This rules out this option as a year-round commuting route to Exeter.
5. It is a significantly less direct route than the A377 so adds to journey times. Cyclists are busy people too and need to be able to get from A to B as quickly and smoothly as possible.
I therefore support the A377 option and urge the county council to adopt the building of this route as a matter of priority. I hope I can rely on your support for the route which would transform the commuting options from Crediton to Exeter.
Yours etc
| Name | |
| Councillor Julian Brazil | |
| Councillor Paul Arnott | |
| Councillor Denise Bickley | |
| Councillor James Buczkowski | |
| Councillor Simon Clist | |
| Councillor Cheryl Cottle-Hunkin | |
| Councillor Jacqi Hodgson | |
| Councillor Richard Jefferies | |
| Councillor Richard Keeling | |
| Councillor Dan Thomas |
Thank you! Dave Harris