SOME seafront residents are calling for part of the Esplande cycle route to be completely removed because of concerns that cyclists and pedestrians could collide.

SOME seafront residents are calling for part of the Esplande cycle route to be completely removed because of concerns that cyclists and pedestrians could collide.

Both have long complained about a narrow part of the route from the Alexandra Terrace junction westwards towards the Marina.

This led to the county council’s Highways and Transport Orders Committee (HATOC) to approve an �80,000 widening project, set to be completed by Easter.

But resident Jeremy Passmore of Alexandra Terrace says that the section should not be widened and instead should be completely removed - and at a town council meeting said that many of his neigbours backed this view.

He said: “It is potentially dangerous and antisocial.

“I used to cycle to work in London where there were pot-holes by the kerb and cars rushed past close by me.

“So I’m well aware of the need for cycle paths. But there is definitely no such need on the pavement on the Front at Exmouth.

“Widening the cycle path makes it even worse for pedestrians. It’s not right that we should be constrained to an even narrower strip. Pedestrians constantly have to cross the cycle path in order to cross the road.

“Many people here in Exmouth are opposed to that section of the Cycle Path.”

He added: “The Mayor (Darryl Nicholas) told me that, from the beginning, Exmouth Town Council was opposed to it. So much for local democracy.”

Cllr Nicholas said: “We have lobbied for changes - from the start, we felt that the current path was not suitable for cycling or walking.

“It is hoped that the plans that are drawn up will provide a more suitable environment for both activities. I would certainly be against the reduction of walking room- indeed as the plans are drawn up I will be seeking for it to be expanded.”