Devon County Council

devon.gov.uk

From Adrian Lane, Exeter 383262, October 04, 2007

A NEW section of the National Cycle Network has opened to the public and has been named after one of the most famous Devonians in history, Sir Francis Drake.

Drake's Trail is the name given to Route 27 of the network between Tavistock and Plymouth. The first section has opened between Bedford Bridge at Horrabridge, and Grenofen Bridge.

Named in honour of the adventurer, the trail recognises Sir Francis' role in being the first Englishman to circumnavigate the globe, his major part in the defeat of the Spanish Armada and bringing a sustainable water supply to the city of Plymouth. Now he is helping to bring further wealth to the area.

Councillor Humphrey Temperley, Devon County Council Executive Member for Economic Regeneration, Strategic Planning and Regional Affairs, said: "Drake has international appeal and by honouring Sir Francis in this way visitors will be able to discover more about the man while also finding out what Devon has to offer. The route provides great views across Dartmoor and will appeal to walkers, cyclists and sightseers alike."

Councillor Margaret Rogers, Devon County Council Executive Member for Environment, said: "I am delighted with this further extension of the Cycle Network in Devon which helps towards achieving the County Council's ambition to become the greenest county."

Howard Boulter, Chairman of Drake's Dartmoor, a voluntary organisation representing local businesses, said: "By using the famous Devonian's name for this spectacular tourist attraction, we are hoping to attract more visitors and create more jobs. Cycling helps local businesses to grow and to be less dependent on the summer season, because it is more of an all season activity."

When the final route is complete it will connect various points associated with Drake including his birthplace, his statue in Tavistock, and his house at Buckland Monachorum. It will also follow the leat he constructed, unwittingly helping to achieve a wonderfully gentle path towards Plymouth. Drake's Trail is intended to promote the Drake connections as an additional green tourism resource for the area.

Councillor Alan Hosking, Devon County Councillor for Yelverton Rural, said: "This is obviously the first stage in a much bigger project but I can already see that it will bring advantages to the local community by providing a wonderful range of cycling opportunities and starting to open up this marvellous old railway line."

Drake's Trail has not been easy to implement. It has a complex pattern of landownership and takes in monumental structures and hilly country around Horrabridge. It is positive news that out of the total 26Km between Tavistock and Plymouth, only 1.3km is still under negotiation.

As the route is being pieced together it is not cost effective to provide the final surface in sections. The current surface is railway ballast, which is suitable for mountain bikes and the route does include some steeper gradients.

The project aims to eradicate the steep hills through the Walkham Valley with the construction of a bridge, replacing Brunel's old railway viaduct. During the construction of the path, an original Brunel pier foundation was discovered and this massive structure is now on display.

From Bedford Bridge car park, the Trail can be reached by climbing up to Magpie Viaduct, which has now been renovated and is open for the public to enjoy fine views of Dartmoor. The railway leads to the Walkham Valley, where a temporary low level bridge has been built. After this, the route climbs to the original north abutment of the former Walkham Viaduct, sadly now demolished. Here the route circumvents the huge earth structure with an innovative aerial section of the route, running high through the oak trees. Here the main route is planned to continue to Tavistock, but in the interim, a route descends through the riverside meadows to Grenofen Bridge. For walkers, the return route may be along the river footpath.

Devon County Council is the project manager for the National Cycle Network in Devon, with support from the European Union - European Regional Development Fund, and the South West England Regional Development Agency. The County Council is also a partner in the Drake's Dartmoor project.

Notes for Editors:

Photographs are available from the Media and PR Office 01392 383262.

Councillor Humphrey Temperley, 07966 411654.

Councillor Margaret Rogers, 01297 680384.

Councillor Alan Hosking, 01822 614757.

• Leader of the Council - Cllr Brian Greenslade
• Chief Executive -- Phil Norrey

• Budget £800 million
• Key investments include:
• Schools £349 million
• Adult and Community Services £164 million
• Environment, Economy and Culture £106 million
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• Other important County Council support includes:
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• Political make-up:
• County Council seats: 62
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• Next County Council elections: May 7, 2009

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