VARIOUS partners have come together to fund the first stage of a feasibility study aimed at establishing a cycle path between Holsworthy and Bude.

Holsworthy Town Council clerk, Vanessa Saunders, confirmed to the recently formed ‘Bude to Holsworthy Cyclepath Feasibility Study Working Group’ that £9,200 had been raised by various partners to enable the first stage of the feasibility study to progress.

She said: “The partners involved in progressing the Bude to Holsworthy Cyclepath Feasibility Study have managed to raise £9,200 which will mean that we can progress with at least Stage A of the feasibility study.”

Thanks were expressed on behalf of the group to Torridge District Council and its councillors Ken James and Kit Hepple (Milton and Tamarside Ward), David Jones and Jon Hutchings (Holsworthy Ward), Holsworthy Town Council, Cornwall councillor for Poundstock Nicky Chopak and Bude-Stratton Town Council for providing the funding to try and move the project forward.

Mrs Saunders confirmed that Marhamchurch Parish Council have also been ‘very supportive’ and are looking to allocate some funds in the next financial year to assist the project.

She added: “The project will examine the existing cycle route to see where improvements can be made and look at off-road alternatives either utilising disused railway lines or new dedicated provision in fields parallel with the highway.”

Speaking on behalf of Holsworthy Town Council, mayor Cllr Helen Parker said: “Speaking on behalf of Holsworthy Town Council I am pleased that the funds have been raised that will allow the feasibility study to progress. Our wish, along side the partners, is that in the future a safe cycle route will be achieved between Holsworthy and Bude.”