Following numerous representations about the poor state of local footpaths and cycle lanes, South West Devon MP Sir Gary Streeter invited representatives from local community groups to show him the four most notorious black spots on the primary route linking Ivybridge with Plymouth.
Sir Gary used his bike to view two hot spots at Lee Mill and Western Road roundabout in Ivybridge. He also visited Cot Hill junction and the Ridgeway in Plympton.
This route links Plymouth City Centre, Drakes Trail, Saltram and the Barbican with Ivybridge, southern Dartmoor and the South Hams.
The community groups were led by Graham Wilson, Chair of PL21 Transition Initiative and invitees included John Abraham, Chair of Plymouth Cycling Campaign together with local residents from Plymouth, Lee Mill, Yealmpton and Ivybridge.
Graham said:
“People come to us saying how our roads are dominated by cars and they don’t feel safe on foot or bike. They say that the footpaths are too narrow, there are few proper crossings, there is nowhere for children to cycle and disabled people including wheelchair users are especially discriminated against by the way some streets or places are designed.
“Many people say that they would prefer to cycle to work but it is not safe so they drive instead,” he added.
John Abraham said:
“A safer commuting and leisure cycling route linking Plymouth city centre to Plympton, Lee Mill, Ivybridge and South Hams towns beyond has been a long-standing ambition.
“Much of this route exists, but a number of dangerous crossings prevent it meeting the criteria for a safe route, one of which is that it should be suitable for an unaccompanied 12 year old. Imaginative solutions have been proposed for these ‘hot spots’, but it needs the political will to allocate funding, which currently prioritises roads over sustainable transport.”
Sir Gary Streeter said:
“It was really informative to meet with local cycling groups and residents on site in Plympton and Ivybridge. Seeing the challenges local cyclists face for myself brought home the issues and the need for action if we are to encourage active travel as a solution to climate change and for health and well-being purposes.
“I am meeting with South Devon local authorities and Sustrans to discuss our proposals for cycling across the area in late June. I hope we can collaborate on a series of priorities and engage interested parties thereafter to see if we can progress it looking at all of the issues involved. It is not going to be easy, but we certainly need a better plan than we currently have.”
