CYCLISTS on West Devon's Granite Way may soon benefit from a shorter, safer and less hilly route without the current detour through Bridestowe.

Devon County Council has submitted a planning application which would fill the final 'missing link' between Southerly and Station Road, Bridestowe, on the Granite Way section of the Devon Coast to Coast cycle trail.

The Granite Way has been developed in stages over the past eight years, as it required 31 separate access agreements with landowners. Thirty of these agreements have so far been secured. The final section is currently the subject of negotiations between landowners and Devon County Council.

The final agreement required for the link path would mean the 10.5-mile route between Okehampton and Lydford would be traffic-free, mainly following the trackbed of the former Southern Region railway. The only on-road sections of the route would be through the towns themselves.

Catherine Goff, owner of Devon Cycle Hire in Sourton Down, believes the proposed changes would make the route far safer.

She said: 'It'll be brilliant. It will improve the path for all users, but especially families. If people have babies and small children they don't want to cycle on the roads. This new section will keep cyclists off-road, so hopefully the trail will become even more popular.'

At present, upon reaching Lake Viaduct, users of the cycle path have a choice to either continue along the trail to a dead end at Southerly Halt picnic site, or to take an on-road detour through Bridestowe, rejoining the trail at Bridestowe Station before continuing to Lydford.

The route through Bridestowe is unpopular with cyclists, being lengthy and steep in places. Many users are also concerned by the necessity of crossing the A386 at Beardown.

Graham Cornish, project manager for the National Cycle Network, said: 'This development is very important for users of the cycle path. At the moment we've made a lot of investment, but the full potential of the path has not been realised due to the Bridestowe diversion. Once the missing link has been filled, the route will become much more popular with tourists, bringing more money into the area, including higher occupancy in local accommodation.'

Mr Cornish also confirmed that the link path would promote new businesses in the area, with the proposition of a new cycle hire business in Lydford.

Cyclists will no longer be diverted through Bridestowe, but Naomi Nardi, owner of Riverside Stores and Post Office in the village, is not too fearful about the future of her business: 'When the idea of a link path was mooted some time ago, the council spoke to us about the possibility of signage along the route, informing users of the facilities available in Bridestowe. If the council do that, I'm sure cyclists who want to make use of the facilities here will come by.'

Okehampton councillor Christine Marsh, chairman of Devon County Council, said: 'This move has been long-awaited. Hopefully it will make the cycle path safer and more enjoyable for users, bringing a massive boost to the area, whilst not being too detrimental for the landowners concerned.'

The consultation process ended today (Thursday) and a decision is expected on December 14.