TEIGNMOUTH councillors are unhappy that the proposed Teign estuary cycle-pedestrian trail may not take a direct line through the docks into the town centre.

There is a public right of way through the port, but Associated British Ports maintains it would be too hazardous for cyclists.

During a progress briefing, it was also revealed that there are no funds available at the moment for the construction of the path from Newton Abbot to Teignmouth.

Negotiations with landowners are still continuing.

A route from Dawlish to Teignmouth is being prioritised before the estuary trail.

Roger North, who is masterminding the project for the county council, told a town council meeting that it would be safer to divert the trail on an inland route around the docks, but this would not be straightforward or particularly cheap.

But members of the finance and general purposes committee strongly disagreed.

Cllr Geoff Bladon, the chairman, said the best route would be from A to B utilising the right of way, and Cllr Sylvia Russell believed APB had no authority to close off a right of way.

‘It has to be kept open at all times and it is the company’s responsibility to ensure the safety of cyclists and the public. They are not unloading there all the time and they know when ships are coming in, so could make suitable arrangements to ensure public safety.’

Cllr Terry Falcao declared: ‘We have been waiting for this trail for ages and we must use the existing public right of way. There are bound to be problems, but they can all be overcome.’

Mr North said the cost of the complete route from Teignmouth to Kingsteignton would run into many millions of pounds, with a fully-engineered section from Teignmouth to Bishopsteignton an estimated £15 million alone. Cheaper alternatives were being considered, including a raised section along the landward side of the main road, which could be narrowed slightly.

At the moment they were concentrating on the Passage House Inn to Bishopsteignton link.

Several members insisted that the priority should be the section from Kingsteignton to Bishopsteignton, to bypass the dangerous bends on the main road.

Mr North said talks with landowners along the proposed route were continuing and making progress. Various proposed options to the preferred route on the inland side of the railway line had to be analysed to satisfy an inspector in case it went to a compulsory purchase public inquiry.

Asked about funding, Mr North admitted there was ‘no pot of money’ available at the moment to pay for the route – only enough to cover the preparatory work.

But he stressed that grants could suddenly become available from the government and other sources for cycle routes, and would favour schemes that were ready to start. Applications for funding had been made.

Some members were surprised to hear that a link between Dawlish and Teignmouth was being prioritised before the estuary route. Mr North pointed out that Dawlish-Teignmouth would be easier to implement because much of the route would go alongside existing road and across land owned by the county council. Howevever, he admitted it would be hilly.

Cllr Falcao added they did not particularly want an interim ‘second rate’ estuary route, and Roger Hunt from Bishopsteignton said he did not know anybody who did not want the trail to happen.

Norman Maudsley, from the Teignmouth and Dawlish Ramblers, said progress was being made, although there were still a lot of problems to overcome.

Cllr June Green urged everybody ‘to keep pushing’ away for the path and funding, which should have been completed years ago.

Mr North, who delivered the now completed Exe estuary route, emphasised the business opportunities the trails brought to communities, especially for adjoining landowners, and urged councillors to spread the word.