COUNCILLORS are being asked to approve spending £190,000 on a new cycle link between Ogwell and Newton Abbot. 

The cycle and pedestrian route joining the village to the town is aimed at creating safer access.

If agreed next week, the funding will enable work to start on the Ogwell Strategic Link. 

Phase One of the scheme focuses on the route at Baker’s Park. 

Members of Teignbridge Council’s executive are being recommended to give the go-ahead to using the money, available using government funding through Homes England, to start construction of the link. 

The Ogwell Strategic Link is to deliver a shared off-road bicycle and walking route between Newton Abbot and Ogwell, to enable significantly more appeal and safety for cycling. 

A report to members said: ‘This would be done via predominantly off-road provision, as an alternative to on-road travel along the busy and constrained Totnes Road A381. 

‘Devon County Council and Teignbridge District Council work closely together on delivery of strategic active and sustainable travel projects within Teignbridge. 

‘Devon County Council was granted conditional planning permission for the Ogwell Strategic Link in January 2019.’

The scheme was approved by Teignbridge Highways and Traffic Orders Committee in November 2019.

A report to councillors says: ‘The Ogwell Neighbourhood Plan recognises the need to provide better links between Ogwell and Newton Abbot with safe paths and cycleways.

‘The Newton Abbot and Kingsteignton Garden Community status was awarded by Homes England in 2019, to help revitalise neighbourhoods and shape significant developments and facilities for local communities. 

‘Homes England has awarded £190,000 capital funding towards Ogwell Strategic Link, for use in the financial year 2023 to 24.’

The report continues: ‘The Ogwell Strategic Link will support safe and appealing bicycle travel between Ogwell and Newton Abbot town centre, railway and onward leisure routes that are nationally recognised. ‘Positive and timely delivery of external funding is important, so funders see evidence that funds awarded for improvements to benefit communities in the Heart of Teignbridge will be used accordingly.’

The route is aligned with Steppes Meadow and Baker’s Park at the eastern side and Bunting Close to the west.

The footbridge over the River Lemon that connects into Steppes Meadow and Baker’s Park is below a suitable width for riding a bicycle but the railings are too low for formal safety of riding a bicycle over the footbridge. 

Council officers said: ‘Dismounting and pushing bicycles over the bridge is not ideal, and so there has been an initial feasibility and broad cost estimate in the region of £150,000 for a replacement bridge of 4m usable width.’

The committee meets on Tuesday.