A381 roadside and new off-road rural path
This map shows Route 2, to view Route 2a view the Feasibility Study Maps
Route 2 Estimated Cost
New path 2.40km 454670
Land 54698
Design DCC 188400
Design NPS 10169
Total path £707,937
Structure 233000
Struct. Design/Manage @ 10% 23300
Total structure £235300
Total 2 including 20% Contingencies/Optimism Bias £1,131,884
Route 2a Estimated Cost
New path 2.84km 538027
Land 64767
Design DCC 222940
Design NPS 12033
Total path £837,767
Structure 233000
Struct. Design/Manage @ 10% 23300
Total structure £235300
Total 2a including 20% Contingencies/Optimism Bias £1,287,680
Description
Following the west side of the A381 the route than descends through Littlehempston Wood, onto some grazing land and crosses under the railway line using an existing footpath alongside the river. Part of the route would be on highway verge and part in adjacent land separated by existing hedge.
Works Required
A new path will need to be constructed over the entire length. About 300m north of the A385/A381 roundabout the River Dart passes close to the A381 leaving little room to construct a path. A solution will require modification of an existing riverside structure. Path construction is then straightforward, either in verge, green-field or woodland. Some steps on the existing woodland path will need bypassing The low-lying final section of the path is liable to flooding, possible measures to mitigate this will depend on Environment Agency consent.
Land
Path constructed on the verge will be on highway land. A narrow verge fronting 1 The Bourtons is insufficient for the path and acquisition of some of their garden or realignment of the A381 will be required. From the landfill area onwards the path will need to be in the adjacent land, initially the tip then agricultural land and woodland
Environmental Effects
Cutting back hedges on the roadside and some hedge removal will be necessary. Where the path crosses open agricultural land the effect on habitat will be minimal and may be mitigated by landscaping and screening if necessary.
Directness
In terms of “crow’s flight”, directness is reasonable, however the route is not connected to Totnes’ centre and is across the river from schools, colleges, hospital, railway and town centre shops. Not linked to existing cycleway network.
Attractiveness
The section alongside the A381 is not an attractive proposition as a short recreational ride or walk. The gradient within the woodland section is excessively steep for disabled users. There may be periods when the path cannot be used due to flooding. There is no convenient car parking nearby for potential path users.
Safety
Safety rating of the route itself is acceptable for all groups with the proviso that younger children would need careful supervision on the section in the A381 verge. There is however no traffic free access to the route from the Totnes end.
Option 2A A381 roadside and new offroad rural path
Description
Similar to 2. Following the west side of the A381 the route turns off the road at the sewage treatment works than follows the eastern side of the river and rail line on grazing land. It crosses under the railway line using an existing footpath alongside the river.
Works Required
A new path will need to constructed over the entire length. About 300m north of the A385/A381 roundabout the River Dart passes close to the A381 leaving little room to construct a path. A solution will require modification of an existing riverside structure. Path construction is then straightforward, either in verge, green-field.
Much of the route is low-lying and may be liable to flooding, possible measures to mitigate this will depend on Environment Agency consent.
Land
Path constructed on the verge will be on highway land. A strip of agricultural land will need to be acquired alongside the river/rail line. Severance issues if stock are prevented from getting to water.
Environmental Effects
Cutting back hedges on the roadside and some hedge removal will be necessary. Where the path crosses open agricultural land the effect on habitat will be minimal and may be mitigated by landscaping and screening if necessary, however one section on low lying land is shown as having numerous drainage ditches and may have some habitat value
Directness
In terms of “crow’s flight”, directness is reasonable however the route is not connected to Totnes’ centre and is across the river from schools, colleges, hospital, railway and town centre shops.
Attractiveness
The section alongside the A381 is not an attractive proposition as a short recreational ride or walk, though this length is reduced over option 2. Once away from the main road the route skirts a sewage treatment works and from then on is a pleasant rural path on a level route, though following the main railway line There may be periods when the path cannot be used due to flooding. There is no convenient car parking nearby for potential path users.
Safety
Safety rating of the route itself is acceptable for all groups with the proviso that younger children would need careful supervision on the section in the A381 verge. There is however no traffic free access to the route from the Totnes end.
Route comparison
Route 2, 2a. Leisure use is feasible particularly the flatter 2a option which has potential for disabled use. Balanced against this is the poor connection of the Totnes end. Major construction works to provide a path squeezed between the A381 and River Dart and a substantial length of new path required. Medium cost must be balanced with the likely low level of use.