The Exe Estuary Trail seeks to provide an opportunity to walk or cycle along both sides of the River Exe between Exmouth, Exeter and Dawlish. On the east of the Estuary, The Trail will connect Exmouth, via Lympstone and Exton, to Topsham, so joining the existing cycle network within Exeter. The route on the west of the Estuary will extend the existing network from Bridge Road in Exeter via Turf Lock, Powderham Church, Starcross and Cockwood to existing facilities within Dawlish Warren, which in turn continue to Dawlish. For ease of delivery the project has been split into sections.

During both the design and construction phases of the project every effort has been made to mitigate the impact on the environment and to protect the special status of the surrounding area. The design and contract management of the project has been a joint effort between Devon County Council and Parsons Brinckerhoff Ltd.

• The surface of the trail is made from recycled materials
• 200kg of grass seed was used to cover the fresh soil to blend the trail into the surrounding environment.
• Clearance of trees and bushes was minimised to maintain the skyline views from the Estuary and to provide screening of walkers and cyclists from the wildlife on the Estuary.
• The timber used to construct the new boardwalk is from a sustainable source.
• Noise created by construction of the trail was minimised at all times to reduce disruption to the wildlife.
• Construction of the trail was undertaken at certain times of the year to prevent disturbance to the winter wading birds.
• The boardwalk is approximately 345m long with a 3m width
• 150 piles were used with depths ranging from 7m to 11m
• The timber deck was installed as 73 spans of 4.5m width
• A 160 tonne crane was used during construction
• Courtlands Bridge has a span of 16m and was erected in two halves during an overnight rail possession.
• Length of route - 1.5 miles
• Volume of earthworks - 4,700 cubic metres
• Volume of soil reinforcement - 3,300 cubic metres
• Volume of gabion baskets - 400 cubic metres over 150m length
• Recycled asphalt 'Foamix' pavement material - 800 tonnes
• Mitigation planting of over 2,300 saplings of ash, oak, hazel, willow, blackthorn and hawthorn planted.
• Construction cost of this section £1.6million