AN underpass for cyclists costing more than £250,000 could be built under the main A386 in Tavistock.
The tunnel would form part of a new network of cycle paths through the Meadows, providing a safe route for children and adults to walk and cycle between the town centre, The Wharf, Meadowlands and school.
Graham Cornish, of the county council's engineering design group, has approached Tavistock Town Council with his suggestions — the Meadows is owned by the town council and the county cannot go forward with the scheme without its consent.
Mr Cornish said the plans are still in the early stages, but he felt such a scheme would provide a good network of safe routes for Tavistock.
'The big benefit is it would be getting children into school without using the road.
'If someone is killed, apart from the dreadful human misery, the economic cost is more than £1-million — it puts this sort of thing into perspective really,' he said.
Mr Cornish said he hoped planning permission for the scheme would be applied for early this year — after that, funding applications to outside bodies will be made.
He said: 'I believe this is an extremely worthwhile project capable of saving the lives of local children, encouraging a healthier lifestyle, and potentially reducing traffic congestion and associated air pollution, as well as providing useful links for local people.'
The routes proposed by Mr Cornish include St John's Avenue, the riverside path between the footbridge and Westbridge and the canalside path from Meadowlands towards the primary school.
At Tuesday's meeting of the town council's properties committee, members were worried about some of the routes through the Meadows.
Cllr Caroline Keane said: 'I think it's very dangerous to have cyclists next to the canal. It isn't wide at all, even for families, people walking in a group. It would be very dangerous indeed.'
Cllr Norma Woodcock said: 'I am very much in favour of having cycle routes in the Meadows — I do have a problem in having it along the canal path.
'It's relatively narrow. If you have a mother with toddler and pram and cyclists coming in the other direction, it's too near the canal.'
The council agreed in principle with the proposals, but will consult further with Mr Cornish about which routes are used in the Meadows.
Roger Howard, Tavistock's town clerk, said one of the mature trees in the Meadows would have to be sacrificed if the underpass was built.
'Rather than cutting the roots of two trees and killing both, we decided it would be better to lose one and plant a new one.
'An underpass under the road would improve traffic flow past the school and safety for the kids,' he said.
Joe Flynn, headteacher at Tavistock Primary School, said: 'I am delighted an underpass is being considered in Plymouth Road.
'I have been concerned for the safety of pupils and parents crossing the busy road outside the school ever since I came in September 1999.
'It will be a very welcome improvement for safety if the underpass were to become a reality.'
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