Devon County Council is set to submit a planning application for the first stage of a new cycle route – linking Newton Abbot, Kingsteignton and Teignmouth – in January.
Paul Ewings, chief engineer, underlined at the Teign Estuary Annual Forum on Monday that the completed construction was 'subject to gaining permission from landowners and funding'. The route has come under fire from concerned landowners between Passage House and Flow Point, who fear it will cause disruption.
They have asked that an alternative route in the Bishopsteignton area be looked into, which would run closer to the estuary so as not to interfere with their land.
Farmer Trevor Davey, of Wear Farm, told the Advertiser yesterday: 'I have been bombarded with pressure from the council and I don't think they are seriouisly considering the estuary route at all. I have 350 acres of arable farming land and I cannot see how it will be possible for me to spray agricultural chemicals right next to a cycle path.' Mr Ewings told the meeting: 'We are still looking at the estuary side but we need to quantify the impacts this route would have.
'The landward side seems more favourable because it is simple, low cost, low maintenance and would have minimum impact on the estuary,' Devon County Council Executive Committee has approved the development, but a decision about the exact route in this section is still being finalised . Environmental impact assessments are currently being carried out, and the results will also play a part in this selection.
Mr Ewings estimated that construction on the first section – from Old Town Quay, Newton Abbot, to Kingsteignton and then on to the Passage House – will begin in the next financial year and the project would be complete by 2012. 'We have had overwhelming support for this project – 98 per cent of people who returned our public consultation forms were in favour,' said Mr Ewings.