PLANS ? described by Burrator Parish Council as ?a milestone? ? for a footpath along a dangerous stretch of road at Dousland, will be on display for comments and questions in February.
Burrator Council has been pursuing the construction of a footpath on part of the busy B3212 road ? which runs from Yelverton to Princetown ? for more than 20 years.
The path would run between Dousland and Woodman?s Corner, where there have been accidents and injuries to pedestrians.
Parish clerk Michael Spry said: ?The council and public alike have been concerned for many years that another serious, possibly fatal accident, involving pedestrians will occur on this road, which is increasingly used by youngsters, and which has no speed restriction other than the national 60mph limit ? making it particularly hazardous in the narrow, high-hedged sections.?
A footpath would vastly improve pedestrian safety as well as avoiding the stress that everyone involved in an accident suffered, he added.
Over the years various routes and options have been considered. Now, as a direct result of consultations between the parish council, Devon County Council Highways and Dartmoor National Park Authority, provisional plans have been drawn up.
?The proposals will mean a footpath being constructed inside the hedge on the left leaving Yelverton, emerging in Dousland and then using a ?virtual? footpath on the side of the road for the remaining distance up to the Burrator Road crossroads,? said Mr Spry.
Parish council chairman Keith Scrivener said: ?It has taken 20 years to finally get a plan for this proposed footpath down on paper after a lot of talking, argument and false starts. This is a milestone in every sense of the word.
?We really hope the public will take a look at these plans when they go on display and give us their thoughts and feedback.
?It is also hoped that the landowners on whose property this footpath will run will see the overwhelming safety needs and offer their full co-operation.
?This may be the best chance we ever get to create this footpath and we don?t want the opportunity to slip away.?
The plans will be on display at Walkhampton Memorial Hall on Thursday, February 19 between 7pm and 9pm.
Parish councillors will be present, along with representatives from Devon County Council. Any relevant questions, comments and ideas will be noted.
Funding for the project has yet to be agreed.