WORK to install new sections of the cycle track on Dartmoor between Clearbrook and Yelverton has been slammed as 'utterly insensitive' by some local residents. The work, which is part of the Devon Coast to Coast Cycle Route, has involved clearing areas of vegetation to lay paths 2.5 metres wide that are able to take cyclists, prams and wheelchairs. But there are concerns that the work is 'utterly insensitive' to the area. Lady Lavinia Thorpe claimed trees had been hacked down in the Chubb Tor area and paths made wider to accommodate contractual vehicles. She said: 'They have destroyed a sweet little lane and made it into a motorway. It has totally spoilt the atmosphere of the place. Once the tarmac is down there is no going back. 'Down at Magpie Bridge a bluebell wood has been completely bulldozed and mature trees have been hacked down near Station Road in Horrabridge. They have chosen to go right across the middle of the moor with this route, and have been utterly insensitive.' Lady Thorpe said people had always been able to cycle across the moor and were perfectly happy with the way it was: 'We were told that the new paths would accommodate wheelchairs because they were on the flat, but it is hardly flat going from Horrabridge to Leg O' Mutton.' Dr Gillian Clarence, who lives on land owned by the Maristow Estates, said a stone stile had been removed, as had hedges and trees which would take years to regrow: 'I think it could have been done more sympathetically. There is also a safety issue. The cycle track runs across an access to several houses where three types of animals also graze and people walk their dogs and use their cars. There will be a serious accident here before long.' Lady Elizabeth Kitson said the route across the busy Leg' O Mutton corner and Yelverton Roundabout would not be safe: 'I am not against the bicycle track. I think it is a good thing. I just think it's been so badly done — and without proper consultation.' But chairman of the Yelverton Village Projects Brian Medhurst said he was generally in favour of what was being done: 'I am happy with the path and have not seen any wholescale chopping of trees myself. 'I hope a lot more people will see the countryside here because that is the aim of it. My only concern is that the cycle path does conflict with children using the playpark in Yelverton because it is very close to the entrance.' Project manager for Devon County Council Graham Cornish said all the paths would be 2.5 metres wide when the work was finished: 'We have gone a little wider where the old tramway is, so as not to disturb the granite sleepers,' he said. The project is being carried out in consultation with Dartmoor National Park's archaeologist to preserve any heritage features. Mr Cornish said the stile that had been taken out was built after 1986 and most of it would be rebuilt as it was before: 'Only a handful of trees have come out but a lot of bushy material has been taken out and that was really needed in the area of the tramway. It has in fact opened up fantastic views of Dartmoor.' He added that the Plym Valley cycle path to Clearbrook had been there for 20 years and this latest work would extend it to Yelverton and Horrabridge: Permission was needed by only four more landowners to complete the route down to Tavistock. 'Some people will use the cycle path to go to work, it is important for leisure and tourism and nearly all of it will be available to wheelchair users,' he said. Mr Cornish said he understood people were concerned about the work but in a few months' time the verges would have grown and the paths would look a lot softer.
