Dawlish Discussion

It’s not just trains that get to experience the stunning – and wind-swept – Dawlish coast in Devon. The spectacular spot, still closed to trains after February’s storms, will soon be accessible via a brand new cycle route.

The largely traffic-free Exe Estuary Trail follows the River Exe from Exeter, turning onto the coast at Dawlish Warren. But a mile-long stretch beside Turf Lock and Powderham has been missing for several years.

See more...http://cycle.travel/city/exeter/news/cycle_to_dawlish_new_route_on_the_devon_coast

Another joke from DCC one minute their closing childrens homes, taking about having to move out of their offices, moaning about having to find £750 million to mend the roads. Then he ho £1.6 million pops up from somewhere to build yet another bloody cycle path.

Something seriously needs to be done about these idiots they live in the dark ages

Well I'm pleased.  Seems like nothing pleases you Fred. 

As you well know, FredBassett, the money for the whole of the Exe Estuary Trail has been in place since 2001. 

I am one of many tens of thousands who cannot wait for the final section to be opened. Just because you're anti-cyclist, in my opinion it's quite pathetic that you should use your prejudice as an excuse for yet another, in my opinion again, ill-founded attack on our elected representatives. 

There may have been a cost benefit factored in to cover at least some of the cost, e.g. extra tourists encouraged to head along that way.

Its about priorities nothing else, you all know how many cuts the county has and is about to face yet you support this absolute waste of money on a minority folly that is likely to have limited use.  Great thinking close down the leisure centres we all use but build a cycle path for the few. It wouldnt be so bad if the trail kept the lycra loonies off the road but it dosent 

Funny how everytime people call for improved access to places like the Warren by means of a better route over or under the railway its knocked on the head but cyclists want it and they get it.

What about the Kenton and Starcross bypass being built to cater for all the new houses or a new school or a bigger doctors and medical facility.

No money they cry, two faced hypocrites

"Lycra loonies"?  Oh dear, Phredd. 

This isn't new money, or money diverted from elsewhere. This is money that has been ring fenced since 2001. 

if you ever got out of your lorry, you'd know how many families, individuals and groups already use the Exe Estuary Trail. On bicycles and on foot. 

The eastern side of the river has embraced the trail, likewise our side between Exeter and The Turf. I'm confident that the same will be true of those of us on the western side who don't see negatives in absolutely everything. 

@ MrsC

Now Im getting as confused as yourself what lorry are we on about. The one I bully the lycra loonies onto the cycle path with.

My family have never used the leisure centres whereas we've all got bikes and we'll enjoy cycling the final link in the trail, it's been a long time coming.  Lycra loony spotting too.  Bonus! 

I too am a keen cyclist and love using the cycle paths but Fred has got a really valid point here. If money is so tight, and we all know it is, and it is a choice between essential services such as day care services for my 87 year old mother or an extension of the Exe estuary cycle path then there is no contest in my book. My mother worked all her life and contributed her taxes and national insurance to pay for our health and social care services. However, she is now faced with paying for the help she needs due to funding cuts to the social care services and this cannot be right. We really do need to get our priorities right and not be side tracked about different pots of money for different projects. Put the money where it is most needed. 

So do you think the Strand regeneration was a waste of money that should have been used elsewhere? 

Fred, morning lycra loony here, I use the roads because the cycle paths aren't smooth enough for my tyres, I dont think we should be spending any money on roads as I think we should do all we can to reduce peoples use of cars, I think the tax on fuel should be put up dramatically so as to price out none necessary usage of cars.

We own/run 4 vans & 1 car, oh and 6 bikes

put petrol up to £10 a gallon kids might start walking to school again  

Hows Wilma ?

Is it just me that thinks Fred lives in the stoneage

God almighty Margaret. What part of "ring-fenced since 2001" do you not understand??? And please don't be lulled into thinking that Phredd's constant attacks on cyclists, councillors, house builders, supermarkets, etc are 'driven' by any altruistic thoughts...

I hope cyclists will actually use it, instead of continuing to ride on the footpath as lots of them do between Exminster and the Turf.

@Andysport

Good response and typical of the totally selfish attitude you and the others like you employ.

What about the contribution to the ecconomy made by all the car users and owners and the fuel duty already paid. How is that shortfall going to be made up. Not by cyclists who pay naff all to use the roads or paths. TDC alone made £4.5 million last year on car parking.

We have spent years trying to assist the disabled and elderly by adapting their cars so they can get about and you now want to punish them aswell.

I would love to see you deliver 25 tonnes of food or materials on your bike.

So how do you work out that cycling is something new and is likely to be the transport method of the future, I think it maybe you that lives in the stoneage. Especially as you havent even worked out that you could get different wheels and tyres for your bike. Go see biker bob up Park Road Im sure he will help you onto the cobbled cycle path you arent able to use.

The sooner you lot are banned from using the roads on health & safety grounds the better, not to mention holding up the buses and trucks because your to selfish to pull over and let them by, even the farmers and most caravaners have the decency to do that

Public funds are usually ringfenced to secure essential services or projects, how on earth does a path for the cycling fraternity fall into that category, what have they done to deserve such preferential treatment?

As Clive has already said in his post (see above) a cost benefit analysis may have shown that the money would be more than recouped by the boost the cyclists will bring to the local economy. Also of course, cycling being a way of keeping fit and healthy, there could be a cost benefit to the NHS.       

@Andysport i think at one time you could say the roads were smoother than the cycle paths but i'm not too sure that's true these days.  it's a completely ridiculous concept to stop fixing roads and expect everyone to cycle.  i'll suggest that to my mother next time she needs to take the bus to the hospital. 

Yes let's put up the price of petrol and penalise everyone living in a rural location, including farmers and local businesses that'll really help (both of which I have connections with before you start).  I really do hope you were just winding people up and not being serious. 

Perhaps we'll have to start vetting people who want to migrate to this part of the country.

Ah, the old "I pay my taxes/road tax“(no such thing anyway) and "money should all be spent on hospitals, care homes, schools" etc. NEWSFLASH: everyone pays tax! Even cyclists! As Lynne said, these people tend to be healthier and won't need to take as much back, but that's beside the point. This IS an investment and should be welcomed as part of our overall transport infrastructure, along with the nicely refurbished station, new bits of seawall, not forgetting the miles of the A379 which were resurfaced last year (and I know more needs doing....but....!). Of course we need carers, hospitals etc.and I know this more than many! But, we also need a balanced (not one-sided) transport infrastructure policy to ensure our residents (old AND new) are healthy, mobile and able to continue working, staying healthy and paying taxes so that we can afford more of these things, and some on our wish-lists, to make this town prosperous and pleasant. For the price, I think this relatively small investment in completing the link between here and Exeter (and part of the national cycle network), outweighs the benefits we'd have seen if it'd been spent in other ways. Not only will it hopefully encourage people to cycle more, to work for instance, but it will take cyclists off the main road (I know of three!), and reduce delays they cause, but it will encourage tourists (and the money/taxes they bring), and put us firmly on the map.

Chris, everywhere I drive I come across cyclists( even tho there is a cycle path in most places running alongside the road tarmaced not cinder) 2 abreast hogging the road not the cycle path, do you honestly think this will change them one iota?

If you come across cyclists everywhere you drive, then it sounds like you have stalker issues, so no, this probably wouldn't change; however....I know many (ok- a few) cycists who use the road to avoid the Powderham-turf locks section, so it should reduce the numbers at least! Let's not forget, that cyclists are perfectly entitled to use the roads (although 2-a-breast is just anti-social and rude), and the main aim of this cycle track is not to only make it easier for drivers, but to widen our multi-modal transport options and (hence in this instance) to make cycling easier.