THE multi-million pound project to build a new bridge across the River Walkham at Grenofen is moving forward apace — and this week gained a new, high profile champion.

The Gem Bridge project, which will span the deep river valley and create a vital new section of the route 27 cycle path, has been praised by broadcaster Angela Rippon, who used to live close by.

Miss Rippon this week wrote to the Times to lend her backing to the scheme.

She said: 'For many years I lived at Gem Cottage, Grenofen. The house was, I understand, the former mine captain's house for Gem Mine, remnants of which can still be found along the banks of the River Walkham, so naming this new bridge Gem Bridge is wholly appropriate.

'At the bottom of our garden we had the remains of the old Tavistock railway line and could look out over the steep slopes and wide expanse of the valley, where the original railway bridge had spanned the river.

'I have a sepia-tinted photograph of that bridge, taken at the turn of the last century. There are twelve enormous brick pillars clearly visible. There were certainly more in the bridge, but it's impossible to tell exactly how many, as in this photograph, the sides of the valley are masked by woodland.'

Miss Rippon said each bridge pillar was topped by five decorative steel girders, supporting the railway line itself.

'Gem Bridge is going to be a wonderful addition to the valley for both cyclists and walkers alike and I'm sure the new bridge will be sympathetically designed to reflect the original.

'I shall certainly be interested to see how the Gem Bridge really does shape up in comparison and look forward to adding a photograph of the construction — taken from the same position — to my collection.'

It is hoped an official opening could take place in two years' time — Miss Rippon has said she would be 'delighted' to be involved in the event.

Graham Cornish, project manager for Devon County Council, said phase one of the bridge project, to create a cutting at the south abutment, was almost complete, despite exceptionally wet, then exceptionally cold weather.

'This has gone really well,' he said.

'We are pleased with the result — it does look a bit engineered at the moment, but it will soon grow over once the warmer weather starts.'

Mr Cornish said 'intense work' was going in behind the scenes in preparation for the tender process.

The council is currently waiting to hear the outcome of a grant application for £600,000-worth of funding from the EU to support the project — a decision is due in early March.

If funding is secured, the aim is to start work on site on October 18.