The Broadclyst Environment Group is leading a campaign for improvements to a dangerous cycle path running along the B3181 between Westclyst and Broadclyst.
A total of 114 Broadclyst Parish residents and those local to the area have signed a petition complaining about the lack of regular and sufficient maintenance to the narrow shared cycle and pedestrian path along the busy B3181 between Broadclyst village and Westclyst.
Rob Neal, campaign leader, said:
“This path is dangerous and inaccessible for many users for large parts of the year owing to soil encroachment and overgrown vegetation. The path provides the most direct pedestrian and cycle link between two of the largest communities in our Parish and is regularly used by many people including runners, walkers, and school children making their way between Westclyst and Clyst Vale Secondary School.
It also provides the most direct cycling route into Exeter for residents of Broadclyst village. However, the ongoing dangerous condition of the path does not help to encourage people on to their bikes, which would be a more environmentally friendly way to travel and help reduce local traffic congestion.”
A Broadclyst Environment Group public meeting in July 2023 creatively entitled “Cycle Path, You’re Having a Laugh!” was attended by 18 people, including the Parish Clerk, County and Parish Councillors.
Rob said:
“It was an excellent meeting and we’re pleased with the results. We now have the contractor’s cutting schedule which we will monitor and the Parish Clerk will meet with the contractors. We’re also writing to the County Council asking for more improvements. Local stakeholders are also trying to work out an alternative cycle path route going forwards but this could take years to accomplish.”
This is an ongoing campaign and updates will be available on our Facebook page. The group is keen to see all the cycle paths in the Parish actively managed and used.
This article was written by Rob Neal and originally published in the Autumn 2023 Broadsheet.
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