A WIDE-RANGING package of transport improvements costing more than £2-million was welcomed by West Devon's partnership committee at their recent meeting in Tavistock.

The improvements form part of the Devon Local Transport Plan, which covers projects to be completed between 2001 and 2006.

In his report to the committee, local services officer Mike Parnell said: 'GOSW has made it clear that the Government expects real improvements in transport provision and services.'

Mr Parnell said these related to better public transport, better accessibility to bus services, improved air quality, reduced traffic congestion, safer roads with challenging accident reduction targets, better roads and the encouragement of cycling and walking.

Included in the programme were improvements at Tavistock Bus Station, more and better bus shelters throughout West Devon, upgrades to pedestrian crossings, and research into speed limits at Monksmead and Chapel Street in Tavistock.

There is to be an increase in cycle-rack provision and more footpath and cyclepath construction throughout West Devon.

Cllr Bill Cann welcomed improvements at Bassett's Cross.

'It was a very bad road,' he said. 'And well done about the Okehampton enhancement scheme. I think it will be beneficial to Okehampton in the future.'

He also supported traffic management proposals in Okehampton's Station Road.

Cllr Margaret Garton said she was 'delighted' to see £30,000 provision for a safe walking and cycling route between Woodman's Corner at Yelverton and Fore Street in Dousland.

She was also pleased to see improvements to safety outside the Masonic Hall in Yelverton.

'People can now get past the hall in a wheelchair,' she said.

The committee heard the improvements had been agreed by Devon County Council following a successful submission to the Government Office South West (GOSW) for 2002/3.

Linked to these improvements were extensions to the National Cycle Network through West Devon.

Graham Cornish, project manager for the county council, said the Government aimed to quadruple the use of cycling in future.

He said provision of more cyclepaths would not only help road congestion and pollution, they were also an important tourist attraction.

Through using the old railway network between Okehampton and Tavistock, including several viaducts along the route, tourists and local people could enjoy 'the most spectacular path in the West Country'.

Sections of path were being opened up as funds became available, said Mr Cornish.

An example of this was the new underpass beneath the Plymouth Road at Tavistock.

'We have just put in a bid for £10.5-million of Objective 2 funding — a lot of that money will be coming to the West Devon area,' he said.