RESIDENTS in a West Devon village last week gave a big thumbs up to a plan to create two new footpaths in the area.

A public meeting last Thursday gave the people of Mary Tavy parish an opportunity to find out more about the footpath proposals.

More than 60 parishioners attended the meeting, to see presentations from a group of councillors and to ask questions.

One footpath would go from just opposite Mary Tavy Post Office through the playing fields and through farmland, coming out close to the Mary Tavy Inn.

The path would follow the line of the A386, but keep pedestrians separated from the road by a few yards and by hedges. The new path would mean there would be no need to walk along the busy main road.

The other footpath would be a short stretch of pavement on the western side of the A386, between Down's Garage and the Post Office — at the moment anyone walking that way has to use the road and be pinned tightly against a tall brick wall.

Councillors said it was anticipated both paths would cost the parish nothing, one being funded by grants and fundraising, the other being put onto a list of possible projects for Devon County Council Highways.

The project is estimated to cost between £7,200 and £8,800 and would cost about £120 in annual maintenance.

The meeting heard it could be eligible for grant funding through Dartmoor National Park's sustainabable development fund, but the parish would have to make a commitment to the project of up to £900.

The footpath from the post office to the Mary Tavy Inn received a vote of 5 to 1 in favour of progressing the proposal and a unanimous vote in favour of the footpath from Down's Garage to the post office.

Both proposals will now be progressed by the parish council.