Cllr Terry Falcao, of Hermosa Road, Teignmouth, writes:

I wanted to explain to your readers some of the debate that has been occurring between Teignmouth town and district councillors and our county councillors.

In the finance and general purposes committee meeting at the beginning of March, County Cllrs McMurray and Clarance both spoke about the proposed cycle route between Newton Abbot and Teignmouth.

Cllr McMurray was positive and stated that the section between Newton Abbot and Shaldon appeared to be on track in the planning stages. Cllr Clarance said something entirely different and gave me cause for concern. While I do not doubt Cllr Clarance's honesty, the two messages were not consistent.

Cllr Clarance stated that he felt there were many technical problems and that the costs were too high. This led to my retort that he knew the 'price of everything and the value of nothing' which you quoted, and also my interpretation that he was actually saying 'that it would never happen'.

My main concern was not with Cllr Clarance but the obfuscation that appears to be ocurring, with mixed messages.

Nobody has mentioned technical problems before and I will seek answers.

We all know that the completion of this project could breathe new life into the whole area, and significantly boost tourism and commerce. It is also a popular project that has extremely widespread support from the residents of the area.

My fear now is that it is being quietly sidelined to die in a pile of paperwork in the 'too hard' tray of a county council officer on the orders of the new Conservative regime.

We have been told that there is money available for this investment. However, if the new Conservative regime does cut this important investment in our area, it will surely be a signal of intent. To abandon the building of the cycle path would be a tragic lost opportunity not only to give Teignmouth a fighting chance to attract visitors in the battle against other well funded resorts.

The other impacts include failing to support jobs in the hard hit civil engineering sector, and importantly failing to create historic infrastructure that could encourage healthy lifestyles.

I trust my concern will be echoed by your readers who may wish also to express their views to their elected representatives.THIS AND OTHER LETTERS IN OUR ONLINE EDITION