Public backing for Teign Estuary Trail

A public consultation has revealed overwhelming support for the latest proposals for the Teign Estuary Trail.

More than 3,000 responses were received during the consultation held at the end of last year, which focused on a missing link between Newton Abbot and Teignmouth.

Feedback showed that 92% supported the proposed route for a 5km section of the multi-use trail, starting at the Passage House Inn in Newton Abbot and joining the A381 at La Roche Maurice Walk, with a shared use path planned to link to the junction near Morrisons supermarket, at the western edge of Teignmouth.

The vast majority also backed the construction of the Teign Estuary Trail, which was supported by 98%, with the majority stating it would provide safety benefits for cyclists and pedestrians. 94% also said they felt the trail would encourage them to cycle more regularly and 57% said they would use it at least weekly.

Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council Cabinet Member with responsibility for cycling, said: “We would like to thank everyone who took part in the consultation. It’s encouraging to see such positive feedback and we will be using that to inform the plans for the next section between Newton Abbot and Teignmouth. We will hope to progress this scheme with a planning application in the coming months.”

Councillor Ron Peart, Devon County Councillor for Kingsteignton and Teign Estuary, said: “I'm pleased to see such excellent feedback from the consultation. This will support the planning application for the next stretch of the route. This trail is a long–term aspiration and I’m delighted that people are supporting this scheme.”

Teignbridge District Council Executive Member for Planning, Councillor Gary Taylor, said: “We are pleased that so many people took part in the consultation and that there is such strong support for the construction of the Teign Estuary Trail. I would like to thank everyone who contributed and very much hope that with such strong public backing, the shared commitment of both Devon County Council and Teignbridge to deliver this scheme will see it through the planning stages and come to fruition in the not too distant future.”

Devon County Council and Teignbridge District Council both committed £200,000 to prepare a planning application for the link between Passage House Inn and the A381 east of Bishopsteignton. An application is expected to be submitted in the summer.

The consultation results can be found online at https://www.devon.gov.uk/roadsandtransport/traffic-information/transport-planning/the-teign-estuary-trail/