New tram stop to enhance visitor experience at Wetlands

Work on a new tramway halt that will link Seaton Wetlands with the Tramway is set to begin in January, ahead of a planned Easter opening.

Plans for the scheme were approved earlier this month, and will see a fourth stop added to the Seaton Tramway at Seaton Wetlands.

Currently the Tramway, which runs between Seaton and Colyton, only stops off at Colyford, but soon, a new stop at the Seaton Wetlands will be created at the existing Swan's Nest 'passing loop'.

East Devon District Council's cabinet on Wednesday night unanimously agreed to enter into the required legal agreements to facilitate the construction of the boardwalk and footbridge across Colyford Common to link with the proposed tram halt construction.

And in 2021, as well as the new tramway halt, there are also plans to develop a café at the Wetlands site, a new circular route, and to improve the whole visitor hub area and public toilets, the meeting heard.

Charlie Plowden, service lead for countryside & leisure, said: "This is good news and the scheme will provide direct access onto the Wetlands.

"The estimated footfall directly attributable to the tram halt is thought to be in the region of 25,000 people per year, mainly during the peak tourist season.

"However as this adds a truly unique aspect to the attraction's already popular offer, we fully expect these numbers to grow. The route chosen will bring people directly from the tramway to the heart of the Seaton Wetlands complex at an area known as Stafford Marsh, where our engagement hub 'The Discovery Centre' is located.

"Devon County Council has budgeted and will commence work on a connecting stretch of the Stop Line Way cycle path between Black Hole Marsh and Seaton Marshes nature reserves this financial year and so allow a circular exploration loop of the lower Axe Estuary to be made by visitors, providing an exciting draw for both wildlife enthusiasts and tourists.

"This will again help to further enhance the visitor experience to Seaton and boost the local economy

"This will also look to further extend the tram's winter season with the links to the wildlife offer, and there are further plans to monetise the new footfall with plans to develop a café offer in 2021, a new circular route, and the whole visitor hub area.

"The Tramway plans to start construction in January 2021 and to get it done before an Easter 2021 opening, which is very soon and excellent news."

Backing the plans, Cllr Jack Rowland, said: "This is part of the continuing success story of the Seaton Wetlands area, so I welcome what is happening here. I welcome the extra visitors and the spin off effect for the economy of Seaton, which will help the other business in the area."

Cllr Dan Ledger added that this was joining together a lot of Seaton's largest assets and adding to the economy within the town, while Cllr Geoff Jung added: "This is good news for the award winning Seaton Wetlands."