‘Better access’ for the Tarka Trail will ‘boost tourism’

If Bideford wants more tourists it should make access to the Tarka Trail easier, a local councillor has said.

Councillor David Brenton told a meeting of Torridge District Council there is a shortage of parking at East-the-Water for cyclists and walkers to access the popular trail along the River Torridge.

He said the situation would get worst once new apartment blocks are built as part of the £30million Brunswick Wharf redevelopment as there would be more pressure on parking from residents.

He said: “We need to put in place or start to negotiate how we can get some parking spaces over at East-the-Water, because if the Tarka Trail is something supposed to be worth having, and an attraction, the access to it is very poor.”

He added that if the council expects people to park in Riverbank Car Park on the Bideford side of the Long Bridge to join the trail on the other side, people wouldn’t do it when access to the cycle trail is easier from Barnstaple or Torrington.

The Tarka Trail is a 180-mile figure-of eight path inspired by the route travelled by Tarka the Otter in the famous novel novel by Henry Williamson. 

It starts and ends in Barnstaple and includes 30 miles of traffic free cycling – the longest route in the UK – between Braunton and Meeth along an old railway line and a number of short circular walks to towns and villages in North Devon and Exmoor.

Cllr Brenton said cycle tracks are really popular: “You only have to go to Cornwall with the likes of the Camel Trail. They bring in a lot of revenue as well and we are missing out.”

Cllr Peter Hames said it is a top priority for the council’s active travel working group.

He added: “We are currently talking to Devon County Council about a design for better access to the Tarka Trail.”

Cllr Brenton said the district council owned land near the trail and he believed there is other land in the area which owners would be 'up for negotiation' which could become a car park.