Devon County Council has just awarded the final contract which will substantially complete the section of the Exe Estuary Trail between Lympstone and Exton.

Work on this part of the Trail commenced in the last financial year with the site clearance and installation of permanent fencing. This was soon followed by awarding a contract to Carillion for the construction of the boardwalk from Home Farm to Belvedere.

In April 2009, Interserve commenced work on the section of the Trail between Home Farm Tidal Inlet and Station Road in Exton. This contract is scheduled to be completed in the next couple of months.

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The last contract on this section has now been awarded to Dyer and Butler. Work will start in the next few weeks and will include the construction of a ramped section leading down to Lympstone Station and a section of path from the railway overbridge to the already completed boardwalk.

Councillor Stuart Hughes, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transportation, said: "I had the pleasure of visiting the current section of the scheme that is being constructed, and I was most impressed with the design and the quality of the workmanship. The trail offers some exhilarating views across the Exe Estuary and once the trail is complete I'm sure it will attract many visitors to the area and encourage even more people to take up cycling. It also provides local cyclists with a safe route away from the A376."

It is hoped that this section of the Trail will be completed and open to the public in Spring 2010.

(CD/KMcA)