Cllr Trevor Davey, of Wear Farm, Bishopsteignton, writes:

I write in response to last week's coverage with reference to the cycle route.

As one of the landowners that the route will affect, I should make it clear that we have always supported the principle of a cycle track along this stretch of the Teign estuary. However, the chosen route must be carefully considered in order to meet the requirements of all interested parties, not just those of the county council.

It doesn't appear that all options for this cycle trail have been fully investigated. Indeed, we mooted a viable alternative to the county council's preferred inland route – an estuary or 'waterside' route that we believe has several advantages:

l It is virtually level, therefore suitable for cyclists of all ages and abilities;

l It allows access along the foreshore at all states of the tide without the need for creating any new rights of way, therefore ensuring there is no further disruption to local wildlife

l It is more picturesque, affording better views of the estuary; and

l It avoids human exposure to the agri chemicals used to treat arable crops in the fields that the proposed inland route runs through.

Like the county council, we too are keen to see the trail delivered without the need for a CPO or a public inquiry that would lead to unnecessary delays in implementing this vital cycle route.

That is exactly why we offered to donate (subject to contract) an 800- metre stretch of land south of the railway to progress this project. Sadly our proposal has been ignored, as have questions we posed to the county council asking to see evidence that an estuary route would be 'ten times more expensive' than an inland route.

No one wants to deprive locals or tourists of what John Potts, of Teign Valley Pedal Bashers, refers to as the 'jewel in the crown'.

All we ask is that our questions are answered before we pedal blindly down the cheapest route.

Avoiding proper consultation with local people and SMEs? Now that really is 'outrageous'.MORE LETTERS IN OUR DIGITAL EDITION