New Newton Abbot Wakway

When I was a young boy growing up in Newton Abbot, it was always a safe walk along the Newton Road to Kingsteignton. Back then there were no industrial estates or the large Tesco store and not that many cars on the road. There was one building just before you got to Kingsteignton I remember well as it housed a number of very old cars. Any other Newton boys remember that building? Times have changed and the road is now a very busy one and not so safe to walk along yet alone risk your life on a bicycle.

But now the two towns have been linked by a brand new walkway and cycle path and for a good number of months now, I have watched the new footbridge being erected over the top end on the River Teign. To be honest I did not know why the bridge was being built and the only thing I had heard that some Newton people were not that happy about how much was being spent on the bridge, when they felt the town could do with other improvements elsewhere.

My own local knowledge of the area questioned why a new bridge was being built at the site known as Newton Quay, It has been build very close to the main railway line bridge that is situated where the River lemon flows into the River Teign. From memory all that was on the other side of the river were large reeves growing and beyond that the bottom of the Newton Abbot racecourse.

The bridge that is over 90 metres long and cost 1.1 million, seemed to take for ever to be built, over the months I have seen sections of the pre-made bridge being delivered to the site Someone said there was going to be a new walkway and cycle way but to where I wondered. I thought it was more likely to just bear right once over the new bridge and head towards the big main road bridge that carries the A380 over the River Teign.

I noticed last week that the bridge had been opened and so many walkers and cyclists were in the area wanting to not only use the new bridge, but the new walkway etc.This morning I wanted to pop into my workplace to clean Lyn’s car and as the new bridge is just yards away, decided to take a look at it.

As far as bridges go it’s nothing special and is typical of new footbridges you can find anywhere else, but standing on the middle of it sure brought back so many childhood memories. Seeing the old railway line bridge was just one of them, I remember so well us Buckland boys getting up on that bridge to get over the river and sneak into the racecourse to watch stockcar racing. It was a dangerous affair as there are two metal bridges side by side and you had to have one foot on each of them to get across. Bad enough in itself, even worse when a train was going over the bridge and I’m sure a few over the years must have slipped and fell into the river below.

At the end of the new bridge is a seating area and three metal type figures, one I think must be Brunel himself, but I’m not sure who the other two are. I was surprised to see they have not been painted or anything and are already looking very rusty indeed.
Once over the bridge the pathway swings a sharp left and goes under one of the three brick archways under the bridge. There is a sign tell you that informs you that this section of the path is on land owned by Network Rail and is not dedicated to the public, but that they have given their permission for it to be used as a cycle path and footpath only. Once under the small tunnel the path swings round to the right and runs along the bottom straight of the racecourse.

I was told a few months ago that the bridge would be closed on raceways, my thoughts back them were that this was being done to stop people being able to get into the racecourse for free. Now having seen the pathway and the fence that has been put up and just how close it runs beside the racetrack, I wonder if it’s just to stop any horses getting spooked? There is a sign informing you the pathway might be closed half an hour before race meetings.

I have now read up a little on this new walkway and cycle route, it is claimed it is now a safe way to both walk and cycle between the two towns. I’m sure many who want to walk from Kingsteighton to Newton town centre will still walk along the main road and only because if they don’t they will end up on the bottom of the Brunel industrial estate, but maybe those on bikes might use it far more.

Also there is no lighting alone the length of the pathway and I personally do not think it would be safe to use it late at night to get from one town to the other. Still it is so far proving to be very popular and gives the people of both Newton Abbot and Kingsteighton a new place to enjoy an afternoon stroll. Is it just the new factor? Only time will tell and I hope it does not end up a walkway that does not get used and fall into disrepair.