WORK started this week on a scheme to link two of the most spectacular viaducts on the National Cycle Network in Devon — Meldon and Lake.

The Sourton to Lake route joins the recently completed Meldon Viaduct to Sourton section at one end and will form part of the centrepiece of the popular Devon Coast to Coast Route.

Creating a continuous 5km path with gentle gradients between Lake and Meldon viaducts, the route will be for the exclusive use of walkers, cyclists and wheelchair-users.

At Meldon there is a connection to Okehampton Station using the recently introduced Dartmoor Pony rail service. The route can also be accessed via the Devon Bikebus which runs between Exeter and Barnstaple.

The contract, which has been awarded by Devon County Council to Macplant Construction Ltd, involves the construction of a new cycle/walkway along the route of the disused railway line with new links to existing bridleways.

Lake's granite viaduct and four other granite railway bridges are to be extensively restored, protecting this part of Devon's railway heritage.

Carrying out the repair work on the bridges will involve abseiling on the part of contractors from South West Highways.

Devon County Council project manager Graham Cornish said this was likely to become a key green tourism destination for the South West, bringing additional income to the area in an environmentally-friendly way.

'The entire route winds its way below the dramatic tors of Dartmoor and offers tremendous views over much of East Cornwall,' he said.

'The county council would like to thank all the landowners who have made the scheme possible and funding agencies for their support.'

Negotiations are now continuing to extend the route, including a cycle connection to the restored station at Okehampton.

The works have been jointly funded by the South West Regional Development Agency, the Millennium Commission, Dartmoor National Park and the European Union and are due for completion at the end of October.