Looe Valley Trails
Find out more about the Looe Valley Trails project and share your thoughts and ideas about the proposals
Looe Valley Trails: creating a network of multi-use trails linking Liskeard, Looe, Bodmin and the Rame Peninsula
About the project:
The Looe Valley Trails project is a scheme which will create over 50 kms of trails in South East Cornwall for residents and visitors to walk, bicycle and horse ride.
Part of the South East Cornwall regeneration programme, the project will provide a network of tracks connecting Looe, Liskeard, Bodmin and Cremyll, opening up access to some of the most beautiful and distinctive landscape in Cornwall.
Led by Cornwall Council working with town and parish councils, community groups and stakeholders, the trails will support more active lifestyles, encourage more visitors to the area and enhance and interpret the natural and historic environment.
This project has been in development for some time, with partners building on the work previously carried out by community groups and stakeholders to identify preferred routes and develop a strong business case to secure funding. This has involved identifying more off-road sections and routes with gentle gradients to be more accessible to all.
Aims of the project
Part of a wider programme to support regeneration in South East Cornwall, which also includes the development of the Looe Flood Defence and Regeneration Scheme, the Forest for Cornwall and Looe Valley Heritage Trails, the key aims of the Looe Valley Trails project are to:
- Encourage active lifestyles and improve the health and wellbeing of the local community
- Provide safe and attractive routes for walkers of all ages and abilities, wheelchair users, horse riders and cyclists, joining up Liskeard, Looe, Bodmin and the Rame Peninsula
- Encourage the development of new businesses, including cycle hire operators and cafes, to help boost the local economy, secure existing jobs and create new ones.
- Encourage more local people and tourists to visit the area all year round, increasing spending in shops and businesses
- Protect and enhance the local environment
Current proposals
The current proposals are based around three long distance routes in South East Cornwall.
These routes are:
Looe to Liskeard
- This section will be a combination of largely traffic free sections with a linking section that will be on quiet country lanes. It will include two high quality loops which provide a circular route of around 4 to 5 miles in length.
- This will be an accessible route to be used by everyone, offering opportunities for health, for engaging with the environment and enjoying what south east Cornwall has to offer. It will also be at the centre of the new cycle hubs which are being developed by others at Looe and Liskeard.
Looe to Cremyll
- This section will be a long distance on road route for more confident cyclists. It will provide an on-road waymarked route for more confident and experienced trail users, linked to the promoted National Cycle Network from Plymouth.
- At the Cremyll end of the route, there will be a 5 mile on road loop which provides an opportunity for more confident cyclists and road users. It will provide a waymarked route and complete a gap in the existing promoted cycle network, providing a safe environment for all to enjoy the area. There will be a shorter 5 mile waymarked route on-road connecting the settlements in the Rame area.
Looe to Bodmin (using existing route between Bodmin Parkway and Bodmin
- This section will be a combination of on and off road sections and will include a number of existing trails in the area. A number of viable options are available on this route and we will be consulting shortly on the preferred route.
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How you can get involved:
This is an exciting project for South East Cornwall and we want to hear the views of local people and stakeholders.
The COVID-19 pandemic means that we can't meet you safely face to face at the moment.
We have developed this site to present the information and to provide opportunities for you to ask questions and help to shape the current proposals.
You can also email us direct at lvt@cornwall.gov.uk
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Design Panel Applications are Open!
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkWe are establishing a Design Panel which will provide representatives of the local community with a direct say on how the design of the project is developed.
We are looking for enthusiastic people that can represent their community in helping to shape the design of the project. No experience is necessary, but may be advantageous – the main thing is to be interested in helping to support the successful delivery of the project. We want the Panel to be inclusive and provide a positive representation of the communities the project will serve, so are actively seeking are actively seeking a diverse set of people. The selection of the remaining 6 posts will also consider geographic coverage and diversity/inclusion as part of the responses.
The application process is simple, please provide a written response to the following questions with a maximum of 200 words for each question:
1. Explain why you would like to join the Looe Valley Trails Design Panel?
2. Describe what experience and skills you have to support the development of the design of this project?
3. How will you support the positive progress of the project through communicating with others outside of the project?
Send your application to LVT@cornwall.gov.uk and alexis.field@aecom.com along with your name, location and contact details by 5pm on Wednesday the 21st April. Your application will be reviewed and we will aim to confirm the successful candidates by the end of April 2021.
More information on the Panel can be found in the Design Panel Terms of Reference in our Documents Section. If you have any queries, please do get in touch. Best of Luck!
Frequently Asked Questions
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Project Development
- What progress has been made so far?
- When will more information be available about the project? How can I see it?
- Why has the proposed route changed from the work that was completed by the Looe Development Trust?
- What is the Looe Valley Trails project?
- What is a multi use trail ?
- Where did the idea for a network of multi use trails originate ?
- Are the routes already decided?
- What are the aims of the project?
- Who is involved in the project?
- Are the trails part of a package of complementary projects?
- What does the project include?
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Environment
- Many of the areas that the trails pass through have rarely seen humans, how can you safeguard the environment when you are putting humans into these places?
- Why can’t you just close the Looe to Liskeard branch line and use this as a cycle trail?
- The EIA screening opinion says that a full EIA is not required, how are you going to protect the environment?
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Communities and Participation
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General Queries
- Will I be compensated for use of my land or disruption to my business etc?
- What commitment towards the trails development has the Council offered?
- Why has it taken so long to get information about the trails communicated
- Can I ride my horse on the trails when created?
- Why has a planning application been submitted prior to engaging with the communities?
- How will the trails be maintained once they are in place ?
- Why is it taking so long to develop the project?
- I am concerned that motorbikes will use the trails and create an unsafe environment, what are you doing to prevent this from happening?
- Will there be a bridge across the West Looe River to Trenant Point?
- Why can’t cyclists just use the roads and not spend the money on them?
- Will you be providing Motorhome/Campervan parking as part of this project? And will it be overnight parking provision?
