THE National Cycle Network route in Tavistock is moving forwards ? a key section of the path, from Brook Lane to Oak Road, was given the go-ahead last week. West Devon Highways and Traffic Orders committee (HATOC) agreed that permission be given for cycling on footpaths and footways at Plymouth Road and Bishopsmead and proposed that a toucan crossing should replace a zebra crossing at Plymouth Road in order to extend the route. While the route will follow existing open space paths through the Bishopsmead estate, councillors proposed to install flat-top road humps in three locations to slow traffic and assist path users. Other amendments will be made to road width in parts of Plymouth Road to accommodate a shared route. But committee members were concerned about the safety of the cycle path for young cyclists and at certain spots such as the roundabout at Safeway. Local service officer, Brian George, said: ?This is not necessarily designed for that age group and unless parents have assessed the route it cannot be recommended as an option. People will have to make their own decisions? Devon County Council?s cycle project officer, Graham Cornish said the route was ?safe in road safety terms? and that some minor adjustments would be made to the roundabout to cope with cyclists crossing the road. He told councillors the route would be highlighted in the School Travel Plan and although it was ?acceptable for competent cyclists? it was not necessarily recommended for primary school pupils. The Plymouth Road underpass which opened last year was a critical link in the strategy as it provided a safer crossing of the A386 and is now well used by pupils attending Tavistock College and Tavistock Primary School. Completion of the new section, together with the path from the canal swing bridge to Crowndale Road, will leave only the new bridge over the Tavy to finish this lengthy urban route. Cllr Roy Connelly welcomed the extension to the route adding that it was ?eagerly awaited? in Tavistock. He said: ?This route is completing an exciting and beneficial network. To me it is all very positive.?
