Cycling: Sustrans publishes Sidmouth to Feniton study: press reports

Last week, the long-awaited feasibility study on the Sidmouth to Feniton route was published:
Futures Forum: Cycling: Sustrans publishes Sidmouth to Feniton study

There have since been several reports in the local press:

SIDMOUTH: Cycle route plans could provide spending boost

7th May 2014 by Jack Dixon

A NEW 16km walking and cycling route linking Sidmouth and Feniton could generate an extra £600,000 spending in the area per year, research published last week suggests.

The idea to construct a multi-use route passing through Ottery St Mary and Tipton St John has been suggested in previous years, but a new feasibility study published by travel charity Sustrans has explored the options in more detail.

The study reviews a number of different route options but the trail concept broadly follows the line of a dismantled railway.

Sustrans estimate the cost of constructing the route to be around £1.4million, but the expense could be doubled if provision is made for a bridge over the A3052 at Bowd.

Paul Hawkins, Devon Area Manager for Sustrans, said: “The East Devon countryside is a beautiful experience on foot and cycle, and the concept of linking up these communities with a safe route is very appealing and would provide both tourism and local commuting benefits. Delivery of a whole route would be complex, involve many stakeholders and take many years, but with careful planning, sections of the route could be delivered to the benefit of local communities.”

The route, which would serve around 26,000 residents, would be delivered in sections over a number of years, but Devon County Council believes it could generate around £600,000 per year in additional spending in the area from cycling visitors.

Through investment in cycling, the council has enabled a 15 per cent increase in average daily cycle trips across the county during the past five years, and hopes to further encourage visitors to travel by foot, cycle or horse.

Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Highway Management, said: “This report is useful in highlighting future possibilities, but it has to be remembered that this trail is a long-term ambition rather than something that can be achieved overnight – a lot of work would have to be done to make this scheme a reality. Cycling and walking have positive impacts on the local economy, improving health, tackling congestion and reducing emissions. Devon is a leading authority when it comes to cycling and we have demonstrated in recent years that we have become a premier destination for cycling tourism. East Devon is already popular with visitors and a multi-use route, particularly one which links to the Jurassic Coast at one end and Feniton railway station at the other, would provide an added draw. As well as increasing visitor numbers to the area it would also enable local people to travel to work and school without relying on the car.”

View From Online - News from West Dorset, East Devon & South Somerset

A bridge too far...

Friday, May 2, 2014 

A BRIDGE  over the A3052 at the Bowd could double the cost of a long-awaited East Devon cycle- and walking-trail - already expected to cost £1.4 million...

Latest local news from Sidmouth | Sidmouth Herald

Sidmouth/Feniton walking and cycling hope

Wednesday, May 7, 2014 
Katy Griffin

The possibility of developing a walking and cycling route from Sidmouth to Feniton has been explored in a new study...

Latest local news from Sidmouth | Sidmouth Herald
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