A CAMPAIGN to create a cycle route parallel to the A386 from Yelverton to Plymouth has had a ‘sudden surge’ of support by the public and dignitaries.

For 20 years cyclists have campaigned for a cycle path across Roborough Down, linking Yelverton to the city — and hopes are high for the path to become a reality with additional money the Government is providing for cycling facilities across the country.

In February last year a public meeting was held at Clearbrook Village Hall, organised by Plymouth Cycling Campaign, for residents, cyclists and other road users to hear about the campaign to provide a safe cycling route.

But in recent weeks the campaign has received strong support, with its online poll receiving more than 1,500 respondents in favour and only a few against the proposal.

John Abraham from the Plymouth Cycling Campaign said: ‘The A386 across Roborough Down between Yelverton and Plymouth is now used by large numbers of cyclists for both leisure rides and commuting. Traffic on this road has increased massively in recent years, making cycling dangerous. We believe that providing safe cycling and walking routes along busy roads should be the duty of local or central government.’

The proposed cycle path is for a three-metre wide, two-way cycle path suitable for faster commuters as well as leisure cyclists, constructed to a high standard with a quality machine-laid tarmacked finish for a smooth, maintenance-free surface.

After a walking survey the preferred location for a path was to the east of the A386 as it crossed fewer side roads and links into the existing NCN27 cycle route into the car park at Yelverton.

Mr Abraham added that the poll had been open since the meeting but that there had been a recent surge of interest in the campaign, along with support from West Devon Borough Council and West Devon and Torridge MP Geoffrey Cox.

Mr Cox said: ‘The A386 from Yelverton to Plymouth is a fast moving and busy road. It is used regularly by a huge number of cyclists and can be extremely dangerous as it is not wide enough to cope with cyclists in addition to the large volume of other traffic using it.

‘I am extremely supportive of safer alternatives being created for cyclists, such as that proposed by the Plymouth Cycling Campaign and I will do what I can to help make this proposal a reality.’

Cllr Neil Jory, leader of West Devon Borough Council, said he supported the creation of this cycle route to make cycling in and out of Plymouth easier and safer.

‘WDBC welcomes the additional money that the Government is providing to improve and invest in cycling facilities across the country.

‘Devon County Council has a number of schemes which it would like to implement and we have been lobbying to raise the profile of this particular route.

‘There are a number of issues still to resolve, not least of which is to secure funding, but we will continue to push the idea.’