THE long-awaited Newton Abbot to Teignmouth cycle-walkway has not been forgotten, a public meeting was assured.

The scheme was first outlined more than a decade ago, but then put on the backburner while other projects, such as the Exe estuary route, were prioritised.

But the county council still intends to complete the Teign estuary scheme, which would boost tourism, and encourage more people to cycle to work and for leisure, by-passing the dangerous main road.

The county's project manager for cycle routes, Graham Cornish, told the Teign Estuary and Coastal Annual Forum at the Passage House Hotel on Tuesday, that he was actively working on the estuary link from Kingsteignton to the resort.

A proposed route was being designed, and it was hoped to be ready to apply for planning permission this year. Funding would be sought from various sources.

'It is quite a challenging route, being close to the railway line and sensitive environmental sites, but will be absolutely spectacular. It would run inland of the railway from the Passage House to Salcombe Dip, and then go along the seawall under Shaldon Bridge to the railway station.'

The route will link into the Newton Abbot to Kingsteignton cycle-walkway, and Mr Cornish outlined the huge economic and health benefits it would bring to the area.

It is understood there is still some opposition to the scheme from landowners in the Bishopsteignton area.