A NEW footpath connecting two ends of a West Devon village will soon become reality, following the formation of a new action group.

At a public meeting in Mary Tavy last year there was overwhelming support from parishioners for the creation of a footpath, making it safer to walk between the centre and south of the village.

A working group on the parish council had drawn up proposals, had gained all the permissions needed from landowners and had identified sources of funding, yet the council was not able to move the project forward.

Now, a group of parishioners have decided to progress the creation of the footpath themselves — The Mary Tavy Community Footpath Action Group was this week launched and already, every household in the parish has received a leaflet outlining the plans.

John Thacker of the action group said: 'This is really very exciting. The pleasant green path will help bring the village together and will be a great asset to the community. We have the right people, at the right time, doing the right thing, and we are going to make this happen.'

The footpath will run along the edge of the Mary Tavy Recreation Ground, across farmland parallel to the A386 and will come out on Buller's Hill at the Mary Tavy Inn. It is currently only possible to get from either end of the planned footpath by taking a long detour or along the A386, both routes being on roads without pavements with the A386 being extremely dangerous for pedestrians. The footpath will enable those who live in the south east of the village to get to the post office safely; those in the north and west of the village to get to the church safely; children will be able to walk to and from the Coronation Hall or the recreation ground, holiday-makers will be able to stroll around the village.

The group said there was already a lot of local support, there would be fundraising events and the project would be funded in part by private donations; several people have already pledged a donation as well as other support.

Jock Easton of the action group said: 'We'll be involved at every stage, as this is a community project volunteers will be undertaking much of the work of creating the path — bridging, stone walling, hedge cutting and general labouring, as well as maintaining the path and the hedges into the future. It's great that so many local people have come together in support of this project.

'It'll be what's termed a 'permissive path'.

'We've been able to ensure it will be flat enough for pushchairs, and walkers will be able to take dogs along the path provided they are on a lead.'

The Action Group is confident the footpath will be open shortly after Easter this year.

John Thacker added: 'The opening itself will include a celebration, an event open to all residents of the parish. We'll make sure everyone is kept in touch with progress and is invited to the opening. It'll be a great day for the village.'

The Action Group offers special thanks to the landowners; The Mary Tavy Recreation Association; Martyn Smale, owner of the farmland; and Garry Lee of The Mary Tavy Inn. And also to Devon County Council and Dartmoor National Parks Authority who fully support this project and have been extremely helpful.

Contributions to the fund (made payable to 'The Mary Tavy Community Footpath Action Fund') can be dropped off in an envelope marked 'Community Footpath Fund' into collecting boxes in the Post Office or the Mary Tavy Inn.

For more infromation or to help, contact John Thacker, 01822 810912, [email protected]">[email protected]