It’s all about ‘Active Travel’ at the Sidmouth Eco Hub in April.
At its stalls on Saturday 12th at the Tourist Information Centre and on Saturday 26th at the Library, the focus will be on ‘Promoting Walking and Cycling’ in the Sid Valley.
And so the Eco Hub regulars will be joined by the Sidmouth & East Devon Walking Festival and the Sidmouth Cycling Campaign.
The Cycling Campaign is also planning on holding a free raffle for visitors. Plus, they hope to provide practical advice on how to lock up bikes securely and give cyclists a checklist for safety checks on their own bikes.
Also up will be a slideshow on screen showing cycle rides and the Sid Valley Cycle Club website – plus an A1 map of the Sid Valley, with rights of way.
There will also be an advance copy of the 2025 Walking Festival Programme, plus some ED Ramblers stickers and pencils for children.
It should be a busy and intersting session.
WALKING
The Sidmouth Walking Festival has been running for over a decade now. The organisers are looking to build on the success of the 2024 festival, which ran over 24 walks and attracted more than 300 people.
This year’s Festival will run from 13th to 19th September.
Once again, a full programme of specialist walks will showcase much of what makes East Devon special.
This year’s offering includes 12 different Coastal and Countryside walks, and for the first time 6 circular walks based on different parts of the East Devon Way. New specialist walks include a stroll around Sidmouth’s churches, a boat trip, a tramway ride, and specially arranged guided tours of the Donkey Sanctuary, Cadhay House & Gardens, & Exeter’s historic Quayside. There is something for everyone and all levels of walking ability are catered for.
The full programme will be available shortly and bookings can be made in person at Sidmouth’s Tourist Information Centre or by email to tic@sidmouth.gov.uk or phone 01395 516441.
Councillor Hilary Nelson, chair of the town council’s tourism and economy committee, says: “The town council is grateful to all those who give their time to make the festival such a great event and wishes them every success in 2025.”
CYCLING
The Sidmouth Cycling Campaign was formed in 2022 from the Vision Group for Sidmouth’s cycling group, to push for improvements to encourage cycling in the Sid Valley.
The Campaign is led by a group of half-a-dozen enthusiastic cyclists, who have experience in working for better cycling facilities in Devon, as well as other parts of the country.
Feedback from their first questionnaire inform the Campaign – from submissions to the East Devon Local Plan and comments on local planning applications which affect cyclists, to liaison with councils and other key stakeholders.
The Sidmouth Cycling Campaign has objected to the proposed Sidford to Sidbury cycleway on the grounds of safety. Although the group fully supports the principle of a safe route from Sidford to Sidbury, they consider the current proposal has a dangerous exit through Hillside onto the main road.
The Campaign has met with the Otter Trail Group to discuss the creation of an off-road cycle route following the disused railway line from the Bowd through Ottery St Mary to Feniton.
At the request of the town council, the Campaign has provided some suggested cycle rides for visitors, now available on-line as Cycling & Cycle Routes in and out of the Sid Valley.
Anyone can join the SCC and the contribution of all local residents is appreciated. To join the Cycling Campaign’s mailing list, contact sidmouthcyclingcampaign@gmail.com
ACTIVE TRAVEL
There have been government announcements of extra funding for Active Travel – and the Sidmouth Cycling Campaign intends to meet up again with active travel supporter MP Richard Foord to discuss funding for local schemes.
Meet up with walking and cycling enthusiasts at the Eco Hubs this month – to learn what’s happening and to get involved in ‘active travel’.
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