Image courtesy Dart Valley Cycling Trail

Dart Valley Cycle Trail Achieves Charity Status as Project Enters New Phase

15th April 2026 The Totnes Pulse

The Dart Valley Cycle Trail (DVCT) has been formally registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), marking a significant step forward for the long‑planned active‑travel route linking Totnes with Dartmoor. The new status places the project on firmer organisational footing and opens the door to larger funding opportunities as work progresses on the first phase of the trail. The project aims to support physical and mental wellbeing, improve access to local heritage, strengthen links with local businesses and provide a long‑term sustainable asset for communities across the South Hams.

The DVCT team is now concentrating on completing the initial section through the Dartington Estate by the end of 2026. This stretch would create a continuous, traffic‑free route between Totnes and Staverton, offering a safer alternative to the narrow rural lanes currently used by cyclists, families and walkers.

Project Director John Forte described the registration as an important moment for the volunteer‑led initiative. “Achieving CIO status is a big milestone for us. After waiting months for the go‑ahead it feels like at last we are moving forward,” he said. “Up until now our dedicated team of volunteers, some with industry experience, have been working hard on many different fronts and now we can really forge ahead.”

Staverton Cycle Path — Image courtesy The Dart Valley Cycle Trail

The proposed trail is intended to support a wide range of users, including commuters seeking car‑free travel, families on the school run, and people using mobility bikes or handcycles. The project has backing from Sustrans and support from local partners including Riverford and the Dartington Estate. Alongside improving safety, the route aims to encourage more sustainable travel while maintaining the character of the Dart Valley.

With its new charitable structure in place, DVCT is beginning a recruitment drive for several key volunteer roles, including a Fundraising Manager, Treasurer and Legal Adviser. Local businesses are also being invited to become “Founding Business Partners” to help meet first‑year costs through sponsorship and match‑funding.

Residents and businesses can follow the project’s progress by signing up to the DVCT newsletter, which will share monthly updates and details of an upcoming crowdfunding campaign. Further information is available at www.dartvalleycycletrail.co.uk.