AN ambitious scheme to built a spectacular new bridge over the Walkham Valley has been met with overwhelming enthusiasm, following a public exhibition held in Horrabridge and Tavistock last month.

The new bridge will be the centre-piece of the new £3-million section of the Devon Coast to Coast cycle path which will connect Whitchurch with Horrabridge, using sections of the old railway line and tunnel under Grenofen.

Graham Cornish, Devon County Council?s cycle project officer, said he was delighted with the public reception of the scheme: ?It was very good indeed ? we didn?t really know what to expect, but we had getting on for 200 people come to the exhibition and I would genuinely say they were overwhelmingly positive.

?People were saying ?Great ? when?s it going to happen?? I was surprised at the level of support for it.?

Mr Cornish said some residents who lived close by the proposed cycle route had understandable concerns about privacy and security ? these issues were currently being looked at.

Mr Cornish said there had also been some ?very good? suggestions for names for the new bridge, which were submitted at the exhibition and by e-mail to the council. The chosen name is due to be released shortly.

The new cycle path will ultimately follow the course of the Tiddybrook from Bishopsmead, take in the Grenofen tunnel and cross the valley via the 30-metre high bridge.

It will follow the old railway track using Magpie Viaduct, which will be re-opened, and carry on towards Horrabridge. Eventually it will connect with the existing cycle path from Plymouth out to Clearbrook.

It is hoped the path will be a major boost for residents, encouraging more use of pedal power and prove a draw to visitors eager to use off-road cycle tracks.

Mr Cornish said negotiations with landowners were still continuing ? planning consent for the new bridge would be submitted soon, following the favourable reaction to the bridge from the public.

It is hoped the new cycle path and bridge will be in place within the next three years.