The Boniface Trail Association (BTA), formed in 2015, met on-line earlier this month with the consultants appointed to carry out a feasibility study of the route with the focus on the Crediton to Newton St Cyres section.
In November, the BTA was pleased that, thanks to the work of the recently-formed A377 Action Group, composed of relevant ward parish council chairpeople, district and county council Ward members and appropriate county council officers, the county council had agreed to allocate £20,000 for an outline feasibility study of the route.
The hope is that this route might be extended towards Half Moon. The BTA is also taking part in the discussions, Climate Conversations, instigated by Mid Devon District Council.
One part of this has been allowing/encouraging certain roads in Mid Devon to be classified giving cyclists priority over other road users and some key roads in Crediton have been mentioned in this context.
The BTA has suggested phasing the scheme.
Phase One: Smallbrook to Half Moon, the BTA considers it would be relatively easy to resolve the small number of engineering challenges with bridges over watercourses and new fencing where the route goes inside existing hedging.
Some investigations need to be made regarding the gradient in places, especially either side of the “dip” in the middle of Newton St Cyres village.
Phase Two: Smallbrook to Wellparks roundabout (a possible additional route away from the A377 to link up on the Exhibition Road side of town, to serve the new developments, may also be considered, but possibly in addition to a route linking up to Wellparks roundabout at Tesco).
There were felt to be few engineering difficulties in this section, assuming a route shadowing the A377.
Phase Three: Half Moon to Langford Bridge. Some carriageway adjustments may need to be looked at due to the narrow pavement at Half Moon, otherwise no major engineering challenges expected.
Phase Four: Langford Bridge to Exeter. This would present by far the most geographical and engineering challenges, there may be a possibility to construct a path along the new flood relief channel. This would take away the need for potentially expensive bridge building to navigate the Creedy/Exe and the railway line, although one bridge over the River Creedy is likely to be necessary, subject to approvals.
The BTA now needs to secure legal agreements with land owners in Phase One and to make sure the scheme stays in district and county council strategic plans and funding.
The aim of the scheme is to provide a safe route for walking and cycling which would improve safety for all road users as well as improving travel time.