A MASTER plan to ban tens of thousands of cyclists from Wadebridge is finally moving forward.

To prevent the busy centre becoming clogged with bikes, the proposal is to re-route users of the Bodmin stretch of the Camel Trail along a new riverbank path and across the old bridge.

New plans were shown to Wadebridge Town Council this week by Cornwall Council's coast and countryside services manager David Attwell.

He said: "The new plans would provide a solution to the current cycle and vehicle conflict in the town. Wadebridge sees around 400,000 cyclists a year. In the height of the season there are as many as 1,400 to 1,800 cycle movements along the Wadebridge to Padstow Camel Trail a day and between 400 to 600 going from Wadebridge to Bodmin. There were concerns that the rerouting would have an impact on local businesses with families taking the new route and not going through the town itself but a survey showed different."

Mr Attwell said 60 people were questioned in a small survey to see if they would use the new route and if they would still use the facilities in Wadebridge.

"The results said that 90% of people would use the alternative track and that 90% would also stop in Wadebridge."

Initial plans show that cyclists coming from Bodmin would be directed along the river bank along Lovibond Walk, across the old bridge using a toucan crossing and down Harbour Road.

The cost of just installing a ramp at Lovibond Walk is estimated to cost £50,000.

Mr Attwell said: "Final plans are being drawn up and should be ready by the end of the month. We would then have to carry out a public consultation to get feedback and acquire planning permission to carry out the required work."

Wadebridge town councillor David Wallis raised concerns of the implications of having a controlled crossing at the end of the bridge, he said: "In the winter it would cause very little problems but during the peak seasons it could be a nightmare with people constantly crossing and causing traffic tailbacks. We already know that there supermarkets are trying to building out of town and if people have difficulty getting into Wadebridge it might encourage them to shop at the larger stores and think twice about coming to the town."

Cllr Eric Gill said: "There will not be a continuous stream of people crossing. The working party has looked at this in detail and this project seems to be a perfect solution and will be a great advantage to the cyclists and children going to school. I think it will make it safer."

Deputy mayor Cllr Steve Knightley added: "People will be crossing anyway so it is better to have a controlled way to do so."

Wadebridge Town Council invited Mr Attwell and his team to give an update at the annual town meeting in May.