PLANS to develop a cycle route between Seaton and Burnham-on-Sea, in North Somerset, are still being developed, with work going on behind the scenes.

PLANS to develop a cycle route between Seaton and Burnham-on-Sea, in North Somerset, are still being developed, with work going on behind the scenes.

The Stop Line Way is the development of a largely traffic-free cycle/walkway between the two seaside towns, which will provide a recreational and leisure route to the Jurassic Coast at Seaton and could give a significant boost to the economy of the Axe valley.

The concept of the route between the English Channel and the Bristol Channel began about nine years ago, under the title The Wessex Way.

More recently, the name was changed, as the proposed route followed the alignment of what was known as the Stop Line.

This was a Second World War defence line, built to delay an enemy advance, should a landing having been made west of a line from Seaton to Burnham-on-Sea.

Parts of the off-road sections in Somerset have been completed and work is continuing on the Devon route.

A Devon County Council spokesman said: "There are no definite construction dates as yet.

"The main part of the work for the traffic-free sections is on-going and, as with all cycle/walkways, this involves acquiring land through negotiation, carrying out topographical, landscape and ecological surveys, design and audits.

"The on-road sections, being carried out by Devon County Council, such as along the B3261 and the crossing of the A3052 in Colyford, are also at the consultation and design stage.