On 16th July Sustainable Crediton's cycle campaigners received a boost from Zsolt Schuller, Strategic Sustainable Travel Officer, who praised our new cycle leaflet, and presented "Cycling in Devon - Progress and Plans" at the Boniface Centre. Those there included the mayor, councillors both from the town and from Upton Pyne and Cowley, and young people.

Of the evening Zsolt said:

"It was great to see the new map and the Mayor talking about the Tour of Britain. You guys are being really proactive and it's a real example to other towns."

He presented a Devon wide vision of cycle routes and spoke of the need to make a good case for our route and to prepare in advance so that when funding becomes available our route is "shovel-ready". He focussed on the variety of routes into Exeter at that end, where hoped-for flood defences along the railway near Cowley Bridge offer an opportunity for cycle improvements. He applauded the encouragement of cycling in the town and local area and reminded us of designated funding for more cycle racks outside shops.

As requested by Zsolt, and as part of public consultation, members of Boniface Trail Group have taken Aspiration Maps and post-its to community, school and sports events have come up with a range of improvements to benefit cyclists, walkers and runners in the town and suggestions as to where the cycle route from Crediton to Exeter should go.

Emerging recommendations are :-

• Along lanes past Shobrooke Park, Newton St Cyres and Upton Pyne;
• Along or next to the A377
• Parallel to the railway.

If you want to ensure that your group or organisation is consulted, please ask for the maps to be brought to you by contacting me. And read our new case study, Creating a Cycle Friendly Town, here.

Laura Conyngham

Notes of the Question and Answer session at the Meeting 16 July 2014 

We have tried to capture the essence of the debate. It is not a verbatim record.

Q1. I'm not a confident cyclist, and I would be willing to cycle to Newton St Cyres from Crediton, but would then use the transport links, like the train to bypass issues such as busy roads. A cycle path right the way through to Exeter wouldn't get me to cycle there. Difficult areas with traffic would put me off.
A1. A route to Crediton station and cycle parking there is an option. Next step would be to look at a route to Newton St Cyres and then in the future whether we could extend it to Exeter.

Q2. If Exeter is the problem area for the cycle path, can we not develop at the Crediton end?
A2. It is possible for us to look into that and then explore extending it.

Q3. A377 is a very busy road where cars come charging past. Would there be a closed path for cyclists?
A3. Possibly. We want a map were people can comment on the roads. We want to increase awareness of cyclists through signage. We can also use physical barriers to make people slow down. Local knowledge on the roads is key.

Q4. What about the new link road and a cycle path along there?
A4. Yes there will be one.

Q5. We don't just want a leisure route but also very viable route for commuters. The air quality problem in our town is on our side for promoting cycling. Cycling reduces emissions. Some of the recommended community actions have been done, but not all.
A5. The distance from Crediton to Exeter is definitely commutable. Design has to look at the different needs of both commuters and leisure users.

Q6. I see why people aren't happy cycling. Is there someone we can get advice from on what else we can do to make Crediton more cycle friendly?
A6. Air quality can be improved by cars travelling at slower more consistent speeds. I'm happy to come and suggest ideas and give more advice. Cycle parking is always a good thing.

Q7. Crediton already has a lot of cycle parking, we need to promote it more!
A7. Cycle parking signage, put it where people need it and can see it.

Q8. How do we unlock funding and make sure we get some?
A8. If there isn't a clear aspiration it's harder to secure funding. That's why aspiration maps are needed. The maps you are pulling together will really help.

Q9. We need the routes planned now so that wherever the funding comes from we are ahead of the game. Are cyclists second in the hierarchy for priority investment?
A9. Yes, cyclists are one of the tiers.

Q10. We need council planning permission eg for development on Cowley 106 funding. How do we get some of that funding?
A10. We need aspirations maps to put forward to councillors to promote funding. Without them we cannot ask for funding. You can only get developments to contribute if councils are aware of aspirational routes. Routes need to be identified.

Q11. We have done some work on our maps but we want to do more work to gather Crediton's opinions. How do we share our maps?
A11. Have a single point of contact to present your views, give a clearer plan and make sure your plan ideas moves through different tiers of local government. It needs to go through all tiers.

Q12. Should Tiverton 106 agreements contribute to the route due to Cowley route crossing point?
A12. Tiverton to Exeter is a 17 mile route. I'm not sure about any work on the Tiverton side to promote a cycle route.

Q13. A route along the railway is good as it is flat, but would we need Network Rail co-operation?
A13. It is only one land owner which is a benefit and they are a key stakeholder. But they are not always easy to work with. It's all about whether they can be persuaded to engage in the project.

What else can we do as a community to continue to promote cycling?
1. Adult cycle training
2. Bikability at QE
3. Tour of Britain
4. Cycle parking
5. Not just Crediton cycling but other communities as well and help benefit them through this plan.
6. Promote events and gain interest
7. Replace the Shobrooke bridge and think about cyclists then
8. CIL funding from the council