Work is due to start on temporary measures to boost walking and cycling in Newton Abbot and Teignmouth.

The “pop-up” measures are part of a series of schemes supported with initial funding of £338,000 from the Government’s Emergency Active Travel Fund.

The investment aims to encourage active travel while enabling social distancing for walkers and cyclists.

In Newton Abbot, on-street parking will be removed along 450 metres of Queen Street, to enable the widening of footpaths for social distancing. Some parking spaces will be retained, along with some loading bays and bus stops. The scheme reflects aspirations being developed under the Future High Streets Fund.

Temporary crossings will be provided on the East-West Shared Use Path at Exeter Road, Jetty Marsh Road and Ashburton Road. This will improve safety for residents and will encourage sustainable travel on a safe, convenient and direct route to education, employment sites and the town centre.

More than 200 extra cycle parking spaces have been installed across the county, including new spaces in Exeter city centre, at the RD&E, Heavitree, Whipton, Topsham, Newton Abbot, Totnes, Teignmouth, Ivybridge, Barnstaple and Tavistock.

Exeter, Barnstaple, Bideford and Newton Abbot are the main focus for the initial improvements but other market and coastal towns will also have the opportunity to benefit from a share of funding.

Devon will have to submit a bid for a potential £1,351,000 later this summer for more permanent schemes, but schedules for this process are yet to be confirmed by Government.

The traffic calming measures are temporary for a period of up to 18 months. During this time traffic will be monitored and, in consultation with local residents, alterations may be removed if deemed ineffective or made permanent where considered successful.

Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highway Management, said: ‘It’s great that we’re now underway with these important changes. By taking this opportunity we want to encourage more sustainable forms of transport, and hopefully create a lasting legacy of safe, healthy travel for local residents.

‘The lockdown travel restrictions are gradually being eased, but social distancing guidance will remain in place for the foreseeable future, so these improvements for walkers and cyclists are designed with that in mind. The improvements started today have been prioritised to support access to the RD&E Hospital.

For more information go to the County Council’s webpages.