WEST Devon mayor Christine Grills opened the brand new bridge across the Tavistock Canal last week — linking pedestrian routes through the town that almost completely avoid the busy roads.
The bridge, built at Monksmead at a cost of £112,000, was the culmination of many years of lobbying by local residents anxious to provide safe routes to the local school and town centre.
It will enable pedestrians and cyclists to travel the 'scenic routes' well separated from the busy trunk roads filled with fast-moving traffic and huge trucks.
Elizabeth Gilchrist, secretary of the recently-formed Monksmead Residents' Association, said: 'This bridge is the fulfilment of all the hard work done by the residents over the last few years.
'It will provide a vital link by making access to the town centre and avoiding traffic a reality rather than a dream.'
The bridge will also form part of the SUSTRANS National Cycle Network running between north and south Devon.
The tow path has been widened to make it accessible to wheelchair users and prams and street lighting has been added.
The swing bridge, which will also allow boats on the canal to pass, was built by the Devon and Cornwall Housing Association.
Its chief executive Colin Shaw said: 'We are delighted to have provided such an important and useful feature for the residents in Monksmead.
'It shows that as well as providing housing, we also have a commitment to the community as a whole and shows what can be achieved by working together with partner organisations.'
The project has involved the close collaboration of the funders — the housing association, SUSTRANS Routes for People, South Devon and Dartmoor Leader II and West Devon Borough Council — with the county council and South West Water.
West Devon's chief executive David Incoll praised all the parties that had ensured the link was built.
'We like to think of ourselves as a forward-thinking local authority and we are continually looking for ways in which the quality of life for our residents can be improved.'