Cycle path closed for public safety

PART of the National Cycle Network through Tavistock has been closed following fears for public safety.

The section of the old railway between Glanville Road and Bolt House Close is now considered too much of a risk to the public, after a landslide last November.

Stephen Russell, countryside officer at West Devon Borough Council, said: 'Although the landslide wasn't particularly dramatic, it left an oak tree quite precarious at the top of the embankment.

'Following a survey, it's turned out that it could fall down, so we have had to close the path and undertake further geological works to stabilise it.'

Mr Russell said this stretch of the old railway will be closed for two months, although the work itself is not expected to take that long.

A programme of works is being established at the moment and will be carried out as soon as weather conditions allow.

Mr Russell could not say how much the work would cost.

'We are responsible for the management of what is known as the Viaduct Walk — obviously we can't take any risks as regards to people's safety, so we have had to close the path until it is sorted out,' said Mr Russell.

He said there was no danger of private land subsiding at the top of the embankment.

This section of the National Cycle Network, the Coast to Coast route 27, was opened last Summer.

It stretches from the north of Devon right to the south in Plymouth.

A new section was created using the old railway line between the borough council offices and the bridge Old Exeter Road last spring — the next section to be opened up will include Wallabrook Viaduct.