THE missing link to provide an off-road cycle path between Plymouth and Tavistock has finally been filled, following a ground-breaking deal last week.

Work was started immediately on the section of the Drake's Trail cycle path between Grenofen tunnel and the new Gem Bridge, after Devon County Council negotiated this last agreement.

It means cyclists and walkers will finally be able to use the scenic route in its entirety from September this year.

Project manager Graham Cornish said: 'It's fantastic news. It's taken 30 years, since the Plym Valley section was started in 1982, to get this route complete.

'It means rather than having to go up or down that huge hill to Grenofen Bridge, people will have a nice level route all the way.'

The £2.1-million Gem Bridge is now nearing completion and work has already been taking place in Grenofen Tunnel.

The 350-metre long tunnel was bought for the princely sum of £1 from British Rail Property Ltd by the county council last year, which had already acquired the land on the Tavistock side of the tunnel.

The tunnel itself came with a £100,000 'dowry', negotiated by the county. Once fully repaired, the county will sell it on to Sustrans, leasing it back to operate the cycle path.

In order to complete the last link, site clearance, earthworks, bridge repairs and the construction of two new bridges will be needed.

Pupils from Tavistock, Horrabridge and Whitchurch primary schools, plus students from Tavistock College, are currently taking part in a competition to design a picnic site at the north side of the bridge.

Mr Cornish said: 'The bridge is due to be opened in April — if people could just bear with us while we build the last bit, then we will have a grand opening of the entire route in September.'

County councillor for Yelverton rural Philip Sanders and Tavistock county councillor Debo Sellis said the authority was grateful to all concerned that the final agreement had been brokered.

Cllr Sanders said: 'This is fantastic news, it will make a phenomenally interesting and exciting route between Tavistock and Plymouth.

'The views from the bridge are absolutely stunning, one of the best I have seen, and having the tunnel and through section opened to the tunnel will be brilliant.

'What a fantastic thing for the people of Tavistock to have an off-road route all the way to Plymouth — it's really good news.'

Cllr Sellis said: 'I think it's a visionary project. It's been going on very many years now and a lot of negotiations have had to take place to get to this point — I think it's a great facility which will be a boost to future generations.'