New bridge will extend cycle route

A new £500,000 bridge will be lifted into place over the A382 near Moretonhampstead later this month.

The A382, south of Moretonhampstead, will be closed from 8.30am on Thursday 22 September while the structure is installed at Steward Wood.

Devon County Council has funded the scheme which will extend the Wray Valley Trail cycle route from Moretonhampstead to Bovey Tracey. The 25-metre span bridge, which has been constructed by Kent-based steel fabricators Nusteel Structures, will be delivered in two halves, spliced together on site, and lifted into place using a 200 tonne crane located on the A382.

While the road is closed, vehicles will be diverted via the A38 and A30. The lift is scheduled to be completed the same day but in case of delays, due to bad weather, the lift will take place on a subsequent day.

Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council Cabinet Member with responsibility for cycling, said: "Lifting the bridge into place is a huge undertaking, so unfortunately it is essential that the road is closed while the work is carried out. When it is complete, this section will be a great addition to the Wray Valley Trail and will provide further improvements to the cycle access to Dartmoor. Good progress has been made on the new section of the trail during the summer by contractor Dyer & Butler, and it is expected to open later this year."

Councillor George Gribble, Devon County Councillor for Bovey Tracey Rural and Teignbridge District Council Executive for Recreation and Leisure, said: "I'm pleased to see further development of 'off-road' facilities for cycling, equestrian and pedestrian use, where families and children can enjoy the Devon countryside together safely and away from traffic."

The scheme is part of the Granite and Gears project which was awarded £4.4 million from The Department for Transport’s (DfT) Cycling Ambition fund in 2013 to develop a network of multi-use trails to open up access to Dartmoor. The aim of the project is to encourage a 43% increase in cycling on the moor between 2015 and 2018, bringing an extra £6 million to the local economy and creating the potential for around 100 new jobs.

The Granite and Gears project is also supported with an additional £3 million from Local Transport Plan funding, developer contributions, and funding from Devon County Council, Dartmoor National Park, Teignbridge District Council and West Devon Borough Council.