Devon Cafe Owner Anticipates Challenging Winter Following Storm Damage to Cycle Path

A cafe proprietor in Devon has voiced concerns regarding a decline in business along a cycle route, attributed to recent storm-related disruptions. Dan O’Connell, operator of MT Tums cafe situated close to the Stover Trail in Newton Abbot, indicated that both the damage to the path and the disruption to railway lines were impacting his establishment’s trade. Last week, Storm Bert caused flooding across Devon and Cornwall, occurring just days after the region experienced extensive snowfall. The BBC has reached out to Devon County Council, Teignbridge Council, and Network Rail to request their statements. Speaking to BBC Radio Devon, Mr. O’Connell stated: “[On] Saturday customers were walking up this path, cycling this path… now we’ve got about 50-60m gap now between the tarmac where the cycle path used to be.” He further elaborated: “I would say for us as a business it’s between 30 and 50% of our trade comes down this trail – whether that’s from Newton Abbot out towards us and beyond or people coming from Bovey Tracey into Newton Abbot and back.” Mr. O’Connell concluded his remarks by saying: “It’s going to be a long old winter, I can tell you that.” Vikki, a commuter who relies on the cycle path for her journey to work, expressed that she was “shocked” by the extent of the damage observed in the vicinity. She commented: “I mean it has flooded in the past, but I didn’t realise it was going to be this bad.” She added: “I was hoping in a couple of days the water would go down and I’d be getting back to using it, but that’s not going to happen is it.” Follow BBC Devon on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@bbc.co.uk.Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.