“There has been a call for a safe route from Sidbury to Sidford for pedestrians and cyclists for many years.” [Sidmouth Cycling Campaign]
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The Sidmouth Cycling Campaign has been pushing for a safe cycling and walking path from Sidbury to Siford – urging us all a year ago to have our say on cycling and walking routes for the Sid Valley.
Last week it was Cycle to School Week – and so the SCC put together an event to highlight the need for this cycle path, as well as to encourage young people to cycle to school.
As reported by the Sidmouth Cycling Campaign in its press release:
Cycle to School Week 2025
County Cllr Denise Bickley joined students in a group cycle ride to school along the A375 on Monday morning. The ride was organised with the Sidmouth Cycling Campaign to demonstrate the appetite for a safer cycling route from Sidbury to Sidmouth. Pupils from Sidbury Primary and Sidmouth College took part.
There has been a call for a safe route from Sidbury to Sidford for pedestrians and cyclists for many years. The two communities are joined by the A375, which is the main road from Sidmouth to Honiton. This is a narrow winding road without a footway.
The County Council has planning permission for an off-road multi-use path, but no funding or timescale for delivery.
For further information please contact: sidmouthcyclingcampaign@gmail.com
And as covered by Nick Thomas writing in the Herald this week, reporting on how several schoolkids took part in a ride to stress the need for a safer path:
Schoolkids take part in ride to stress need for safer path
Students from Sidbury Primary and Sidmouth College took part in a community cycle ride this week to highlight a safer cycling and pedestrian route along the busy A375 road. The ride along the road, which links Sidmouth and Honiton, was part of National Cycle to School Week and organised by parents and the Sidmouth Cycling Campaign. The group set off at 8.15am from Sidbury Village Hall down the A375, a narrow winding road without a footway, to Sidmouth College.
“The road itself is treacherous for cyclists – cars come too close, too fast and there are still many potholes and manhole covers – plus it is not well lit,” said county councillor Denise Bickley who took part in the ride. “Also there aren’t many safe spaces to stop, should you need to, along the route. You only realise this when you cycle it yourself, so I am so glad we did it. It is imperative that the bus continues until there is a safe, well-lit route for children to get to school. I think an organised bike bus would be a great idea but not until the route is safe – and it can’t replace an actual bus.”
There is planning permission for such a multi-use path but no current funding programme. One parent who took part with her child said that many of the pupils at Sidbury Primary School come from Sidford and Sidmouth, so a safe off-road path would be well used. The primary school has a new bike and scooter park and is very supportive of active travel, she added. The ride was part of a wider effort to obtain a safe, dedicated pedestrian and cyclist route between Sidbury and Sidford, a long-standing community demand.
The call for a safer multi-use path along the route is also backed by Sidmouth Town Council. “Sidmouth Town Council is fully supportive of the need for a safe route to school between Sidbury and Sidford, with concern over proposed cuts to the school bus,” said Cllr Bernie Davis.
Safety is of course the priority but it would also be a healthy way for kids to get to and from school, said Cllr Bickley. “It encourages us outside, which is good for the environment and our own mental health, and gives young people some independence,” she said. “But it must be safe.”
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