MAJOR work is to start on a disused railway line which will link Dartmoor with the country's longest off road cycleway in Torridge.

The old railway line from Thorndon Cross to Venndown Gate and on to Cookworthy Forest in the centre of the Ruby Country is to be transformed into a bridleway.

The move has been hailed as a great opportunity for local businesses, landowners and farmers to develop tourism in the area by the Ruby Country Partnership which works to promote green tourism in Torridge and West Devon.

The bridleway will also link up with the Ruby Way cycleway which is looking to form the longest off road cycleway in the country — stretching from Hatherleigh to Holsworthy and over the border to Bude.

A Devon County Council spokesman said: "Devon County Council has been working with the Forestry Commission and Dartmoor National Park for several years at establishing a link through to Cookworthy Forest using a disused railway line.

"Phase one from Thorndon Cross to Venndown Gate was formally opened in April last year. We are now working with landowners to establish phase two from there to Halwill Junction and Cookworthy Forest."

The council said some of the funding will come from the Investing in Devon fund, but as much of the scheme is in the Ruby Country Area, the Ruby Country Partnership is bidding for funding from the Dartmoor Local Enterprise Action Fund and the North Devon Local Action Group to encourage business opportunities and support, based around equine tourism.

The council spokesman added: "The bridleway links with the Equestrian Devon project, which is aiming to create recreational horse-riding networks of full and half-day circular routes linked by longer distance routes to assist the growth and development of associated rural businesses including horse-friendly bed and breakfasts, camping barns and riding schools.

"Other riding routes and improvements connecting to the disused railway line are also being pursued."

The Ruby partnership, through the joint funding programme, is planning to employ a coordinator to develop the business opportunities that will become available as the project unfolds.

Richard Reid from the partnership said: "This is a great opportunity for new or existing businesses, landowners and farmers to gear up for this exciting development in tourism.

"Ruby Country has always sought to find a position of sustainability and we feel that this project together with other projects the partnership is currently considering will be the catalyst for sustainability."

He said the link with the Ruby Way will unlock opportunities for both local people and tourists.

"These combined projects, in an unspoilt corner of rural Devon, are enabling more and more people to take in the sights, sounds and fresh air of a previously hidden part of the county," he said.