Walking and cycling links between Plym Valley and Saltram complete

Work to improve walking and cycling links between the Plym Valley Trail and Saltram Countryside Park is now complete.

The scheme includes a new off-road link directly into the trail from Coypool Road and improvements to the path running underneath Plymouth Road, as well new and improved crossings for walkers and cyclists.

It was awarded £242,000 from the Department for Transport’s Cycle Ambition Fund through Devon County Council’s ‘Granite and Gears’ project, which aims to improve cycling access to Dartmoor from across the county. Additional support was provided by Plym Valley Railway.

As well as providing safer access to Saltram and the Plym Valley, especially for families and less confident cyclists, the scheme allows people to cycle from the city centre to Dartmoor along the National Cycle Network (NCN) Route 27 and complements the new Laira Rail Bridge walking and cycling link.

It also forms part of the Saltram Countryside Park master plan, which has seen an upgrade of the entrances to the park, new routes from Plympton St Maurice and the creation of the Plym Valley Heritage Trail, thanks to support from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The Saltram master plan is one of the key strategic projects in the Council’s Green Infrastructure Plan, which looks to open up Plymouth’s green spaces for its growing population.

Councillor Mark Coker, Cabinet Member for Strategic Transport and Planning, said: “This scheme has improved access to and from the popular Plym Valley Trail, which is enjoyed by more than 300,000 people every year and is another key link in Plymouth’s expanding walking and cycling network. We’re pleased to have been able to work with Devon County Council to provide these important improvements.”

The work was carried out by SWH Civils.