Safe Paignton cycling east to west

New off-road route on the way

Paignton is set to get a new off-road cycle and walking route linking the east and west of the town through the Clennon Valley.

A planning application for the three-metre-wide track is recommended for approval at a meeting of Torbay’s planning committee. It will run from Haytor Avenue, near Roselands Primary School, down a steep hill and alongside playing fields bordering the Clennon Lakes nature reserve to Dartmouth Road near Torbay Velopark. The scheme includes improvements to the entrance of the Velopark site, the removal of a number of barriers, a new timber bird watching screen, benches and signs. It will have solar-powered lights on the steepest sections and has been designed to improve the habitat for wildlife.

More than three-quarters of the responses to a consultation last year were in favour of the scheme. The planning application submitted in June this year attracted 33 objections and 22 comments in support. Backers welcome a new safe traffic-free link to encourage more cycling and walking away from steep and busy roads.  

Objectors highlight a potential hazard of mixing cyclists with people and pets near the popular nature reserve and playing fields. The police welcomed the three-metre width and recommended signs advising people to keep left to minimise conflict between walkers and cyclists.

The route connects the beaches and sports facilities at Goodrington with the residential area at the top of the valley at White Rock. It forms part of a green link from Goodrington, the South West Coast Path and the sea to South Devon College, Paignton Community College, Paignton Zoo and Long Road South Business Park.

The proposed route has been designed in line with guidance from Sustrans, a charity supporting cycling and walking. 

A statement with the planning application said it would avoid steep and busy roads to connect the western area around South Devon College and employment sites with leisure facilities and the town centre. It said: “The proposed new path will provide a strategic traffic free link for pedestrians and cyclists, connecting where people live with their jobs and leisure activities.

“The ecology led design will ensure important habitats are retained and enhanced, with new wildflower species rich grassland and areas of scrub proposed. Using best practice design guides, the proposed path will allow access for all users on a shared tarmac route which, although steep in places, offers a less steep gradient than nearby busy roads.”

Paignton cycling route (courtesy: LHC Design)