NOW that the Bere Alston to Tavistock rail link has been given the green light, Devon County footpath committee is due shortly to consider the findings of last year's Definitive Map Review on the footpath network in the Bere Ferrers Parish, which are directly affected by the rail development. Last year, two change of use footpath proposals to allow horse and mountain bike riders onto footpaths in the Tuckermarsh area met considerable opposition, with a well supported petition in objection being forwarded  to DCC. These are the footpaths that cross (under) the rail route and are due for consideration at Exeter (possibly this February). The riding proposals were not supported by the parish council.  One issue was the danger to riders both on horse and mountain-bike with residents' access vehicles on the paths — and the extensive new riding facilities at Tamar Trails accessed just 1.4 miles from Bere Alston. One resident at Tuckermarsh Quay objected to the fact that his disabled 88-year-old mother would have to have her wheelchair pushed through horse excrement at both the front and rear entrances to the properties. A walking group in Plymouth informed Devon County Council that it would not use the path if cycles and horses were permitted.  A West Devon conservation officer is aware of glowworms under threat from any widening of the footpaths. The current outline rail crossing proposal is for a pedestrian tunnel to run under the railway at Tuckermarsh, but to have rail traffic directly above horse-riders is believed to be raising concerns with the planners. Tamar Valley AONB were only aware of any change of footpath use proposals last week. Frank Derrick