A GROUP campaigning for a new cycle track between Ottery St Mary and Feniton have received the blessing of the Ottery Town Council.

Three students from The King’s School put their case for the ‘Otter Trail’ to members on Monday and asked that they support the project to help make it a reality.

Mayor Glyn Dobson said that, although the group faced a difficult task, he was happy to write a letter of support to Devon County Council.

An online petition set up two months ago has received more than 500 signatures and organiser Jo Elliot said that she was very pleased with the effort the students had gone to.

She added: “I think we are really lucky to have active students giving up their time to go to Town Council meetings, and they are grateful to have a Council that will listen to their views.

“This cycle trail could one day link all the way down through Ottery to Exmouth and Sidmouth and would really benefit tourism in the area.

“But my main concern is that so few students cycle to school at the moment because it just isn’t safe.”

Lauren Pearcy, one of the students, said: “Students at Ottery Primary School recently took a cycling proficiency course, but it’s not safe for them to ride around town.”

The online petition can be found at www.ottertrail.org

What are your experiences of cycling on the roads in and around Ottery? Do you think the ‘Otter Trail’ would encourage more people to get on their bikes? Email harvey.gavin@archant.co.uk