The £1.6m section of the coastal cycle path between Turf Lock and Powderham was opened by Devon County Council Chairman George Gribble.
The full Exe Estuary Trail lets people walk or cycle along both sides of the River Exe between Exmouth, Exeter and Dawlish.
Read more...http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-30206894
And flooded straightaway. Never mind, they said, cyclists can still ride along the seawall.
They probably will anyway, as many do (along the canal bank) between Exminster and Turf: the view's much better up there.
It's bound to flood there. I did notice when I did the walk last week that there are signs for cyclists not to use the top route. Also there was not one dog bin along the whole of the route until you get to Turf where there's a normal bin.
Hopefully they'll install bins as part of the finishing touches that are due early next year. Though I'd hope that it's not too much of a hardship for dog owners to carry their poo bags for a mile or so.
I can't wait to use it. Irrespective of the wonderful views, that bone shaking stretch has been a weak link in the trail. Hopefully more people will be inclined to cycle on towards Dawlish now. If only there was a scenic route from the Texaco garage as an alternative to Exeter Road.
er..........all these extra people that this new trail will bring to the Exe Estuary and Dawlish Warren area.............
I thought the whole point of needing SANGS (see other threads) is to dissuade people from visiting both these places.
Go on someone - explain to me the logic of it all.
@Lynne - not sure the cyclists will be visiting the nature reserve? more cyclists on that route rather than the a379 is great as far as i'm concerned.
@JC, it's not a hardship just wondering if there were plans, you know what people are like for winging poo bags if they carry them for too long ...
It's not normal for our elected representatives to misjudge a junket opportunity... but sorry George, the excellent Turf pub is only open at weekends at the moment!
@flo - Cyclists could easily stop off at the nature reserve and walkers will be using the path as well. And somewhere, somewhere, in the back of my mind I seem to recall reading something about the possibility of a bike hire/repair shop being set up at the Warren. Ideal place to park up bikes whilst exploring the area?
perhaps @Lynne but i still see it as an ideal commutable route into exeter. a lot of people go on cycle rides without stopping to go for a stomp over at dawlish warren and to be honest warren farm isn't far enough away to stop people walking onto the nature reserve.
Dawlish Warren nature reserve is all over the internet and even has its own website, you're never going to stop people visiting unless you ban them.
@SoulofDawlish - they could always have continued onto double locks if they were desperate, i'm sure that's open all week?
@flo - i totally agree with what you are saying. not all cyclists may go to the warren nnr. not all walkers may go to the warren nnr. there again some might. potential extra footfall caused by the exe trail is seemingly okay but not potential extra visitors caused by the new housing. that is what i am getting at. there appears to be a contradiction.
Please 