Photo by Blubel on UnsplashA series of ‘ambitious’ and ‘transformational’ plans to develop cycling and walking improvements across Devon has been given the greenlight by members of our ruling cabinet.
At Cabinet today (Wednesday March 12) our councillors backed several Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans (LCWIPs).
These outline our priorities for cycling and walking improvements over the next 10 to 20 years and include areas such as Tiverton, Cullompton and the Clyst Valley.
The adoption of LCWIPs puts us in the strongest possible position for bidding for Government funding for walking and cycle schemes, as well as leveraging external grants and for use in negotiations with developers.
While supporting increased walking and cycling levels across Devon, the plans also support tour response to the climate crisis, improving the health and wellbeing of residents as well as delivering economic benefits in the county.
Schemes have been prioritised based on where the greatest impact can be made in increasing the number of people who choose to walk or cycle.
Factors considered include whether an alternative route exists nearby, how the links serve key journey types such as travel to school, work and for leisure, and where the potential is greatest to attract developer funding due to planned growth in these areas.
The Cullompton and Tiverton LCWIP focuses on the strategic housing growth area of Cullompton and the proposed Culm Garden Village and links in and around Tiverton, to Tiverton Parkway and towards Exeter.
Clyst Valley and New Communities LCWIP covers the area of strategic housing growth in East Devon from Killerton to Topsham, and from the Exeter boundary out towards Whimple and communities including Clyst Honiton, West Clyst, Clyst St Mary and on to the Exe Estuary Trail.
While the Devon Countywide LCWIP complements Devon’s urban-focussed LCWIPs with aspirational long-term rural multi-use trail routes across the entire county, connecting Devon’s communities with our coast and countryside.
It focuses on 10 routes ranging from the Otter Trail, the Sidbury to Sidford and Beer to Aximister Routes in East Devon to Ashburton to Buckfastleigh in Teignbridge, the Boniface Trail in Mid Devon and Exeter, the Tarka Trail and the Roborough to Dousland Route in West Devon.
Councillors also supported the inclusion of a Totnes to Newton Abbot shared walking and cycling route via Littlehempston into the South Hams LCWIP being currently drawn up by South Hams District Council.
Councillor Stuart Hughes, our cabinet member for highway management, said:
“I’m delighted that the council has adopted these transformational and ambitious Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans, which set out our priorities for investment.
“Each shows an evidence-based approach to identifying active travel improvements and the result of public consultations show that they are well supported by local people.
“I am particularly pleased that scrutiny engaged so positively with the Countywide LCWIP and supported the document, which was then amended following public consultation.
“I have met with parties keen to secure the delivery of a route connecting Totnes to Littlehempston and I have recommended steps that can be taken locally to support the development of the route, which will strengthen the case for its potential inclusion at a future review of the plan.
“These plans put the Devon County Council in the strongest position to secure future funding and deliver new commuter, education and leisure routes in locations where there is the greatest potential to encourage walking, wheeling and cycling amongst people of all ages and abilities.”
- While these plans include ambitions to deliver proposals, their inclusion does not guarantee these will be achieved. Schemes still need to undergo detailed design, and the securing of any necessary third-party land and formal approval for construction once funding has been secured.