TWO town councils say they are 'disappointed' parts of a new £2.4million cycle path linking Newton Abbot to Kingsteignton will be shut on certain days to allow horse racing at Newton Abbot.

Newton Abbot and Kingsteignton town councils voiced their concerns before plans for the 2.3km footpath and cycle route linking Kingsteignton with Newton Abbot go before planners at Teignbridge Council.

It is believed the racecourse vetoed the route being open on race days because passing cyclists may spook horses, potentially endangering the safety of animals and jockeys.

The cycle path and pedestrian scheme is part of a substantial transport investment by Devon County Council.

The section will form part of the Connect2 cycle network and will become a part of national route running from Dover in Kent to St Austell in Cornwall.

The plans are for existing footpaths between Passage House and Greenhill Way to be widened for cyclists, a toucan crossing on the B3193 and a new link on the south-east side of Hackney Marshes to Woodmere Way.

A new section from Hackney Marshes to the River Teign will run along the foot of the railway embankment on Newton Abbot Racecourse's land and Network Rail's land, passing under the railway bridge.

A new pedestrian and cycleway bridge will cross the River Teign to Brunel Industrial Estate, Newton Abbot.

The plans go before a meeting of Teignbridge Council's development control committee on Monday.

In their consultations, both Newton Abbot and Kingsteignton town councils raised questions about why the path would be closed on certain days for race meetings.

Newton Abbot Town Council's planning committee chairman Councillor Keith Smith said although the committee was 'disappointed', it was a difficult situation.

He said: "The issue is safety and that horses could get spooked by cyclists whizzing past. Their position is entirely understandable.

"The best we can do is negotiate to get it built and ultimately, hedges could be planted to shield the path from the race track.

"We looked at a number of different options, including moving the path to the estuary side of the railway line but that would involve having to move the bridge — a hugely expensive exercise."

The racecourse is holding 18 race days this year, including evening fixtures.

Mr Smith, who is also chairman of the consultative committee for Connect2, said: "There are not that many race days a year so the impact would be minimal. When complete, the cycle route will be a jewel in our crown."

Kingsteignton Town Council's planning committee chairman and deputy mayor Councillor Keith Howard said: "We welcome the proposal. It's something that Kingsteignton needs. The matter of the racecourse closing the gates caused a few raised eyebrows because those are the days when traffic in the town is the worst.

"The footpath and cycle route as an alternative way of getting to Newton Abbot would be perfect.

"Hedge screening seems to be a useful solution. As an ex-horse rider myself I know horses can shy at a butterfly but take no notice of low flying jets."

Racecourse director Pat Masterson is on holiday and a spokesman for Actuate Marketing, on behalf of the racecourse, said no one else was able to comment.

Devon County Council has already approved the plans. It will be considered by Teignbridge Council because the application involves land partially owned by the district council, Network Rail and Newton Abbot Racecourse.