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Newtei Survey

4XJune 2022 by Tony Leigh

Route description

A Slow Way may be classified according to its geography eg. urban, city park, mountainous, moorland etc. NewTei is a foreshore or intertidal track. It is a public way which has certainly been in regular use for 300 years (probably for a few thousand) and I believe warrants inclusion as a Slow Way subject to its unique characteristics being recognised and respected. An intertidal way includes significant stretches between tidal high and low water margins (the intertidal zone). Much surface of NewTei between the A380 bridge outside Newton Abbot and Shaldon is covered by sea water for several hours in every 12 hour period. It is passable in safety at any time of year in the 6 hours below half tide. However, it may be worth delaying the start of this stretch between the A380 bridge and Shaldon by up to a further 2 hours (i.e. up to one hour before low water) during a period of spring tides in order to give the ebbing tide more time to drain away and the surface to dry. This is especially relevant if walking from Teignmouth to Newton Abbot. The surface is predominantly shingle, frequently damp but not puddled, often covered in eel grass and other seaweeds and therefore potentially slippery, with a slight camber, and invariably peppered with sharp shells and detritus from erosion, dead organic matter and, sadly, also human rubbish deposited by the receding tide. NewTei is not appropriate for a wheelchair (even I suspect of the most “off-road” design though I should love to be corrected) but it is used by cyclists provided you are prepared to dismount and walk at times and occasionally shoulder the bike! Small pushchairs are not uncommon, especially in the summer months, provided again they can be easily manhandled where necessary. Such “vehicles” don’t react kindly to salt water though so hose down thoroughly afterwards. Two essentials in planning an intertidal walk: tide times and appropriate footwear. Tide tables are posted on Town Quay in Newton Abbot and in Teignmouth and Shaldon (although up-dating suffered in the pandemic!) and are freely available on the internet (use Teignmouth as location). While you will see walkers in flip-flops and summer sandals, walking shoes or boots with good soles make the walk both safer and more comfortable. Yesterday, with low tide at 11:31, I chose to depart around 10.00 in Vibram-soled walking shoes. The foreshore had been draining for 4.5 hours guaranteeing a broad exposed intertidal zone while still leaving a safe tidal window of a further 4 hrs which would allow me to dawdle as much as I wished. A great walk and no slips or wet feet! Important warning though! Do not be tempted to walk on the exposed mud banks, or short-cut across coves such as Netterton, Coombe Cellars or Arch Brook. Brown mud is soft and very easy to sink into but frighteningly difficult from which to extricate one’s legs! The route includes the lower third of the nationally recognised Templer Way from Newton Abbot Town Quay to Shaldon while the stretch from Shaldon Bridge behind Teignmouth Rugby Club and Bitton House on one side and the railway and docks on the other is a fascinating reminder of old Teignmouth.

About the surveyor

Coming soon.

Survey Contents

Grading

Path surface grading

4 Grade 4: Route includes very rough surfaces including deep ruts, steep loose gravel, unmade paths and deep muddy sections. Wheelchairs may experience traction/wheel spin issues.

Accessibility grading

X Access grade X: At least one stile, flight of steps or other obstacle that is highly likely to block access for wheelchair and scooter users.

Photos

Photos from surveys are coming soon.

Facilities

  • Not present at time of survey Public toilet
  • Not present at time of survey Wheelchair accessible toilet
  • Present at time of survey Supermarket
  • Present at time of survey Restaurant
  • Maybe present Vegan restaurant
  • Maybe present Accommodation
  • Maybe present Accommodation < £50
  • Not present at time of survey Campsite
  • Not present at time of survey Bothy
  • Not present at time of survey Free wifi
  • Maybe present Public phone
  • Present at time of survey Mobile Phone Coverage
  • Not present at time of survey Train station
  • Present at time of survey Bench
  • Not present at time of survey Picnic table
  • Present at time of survey Bus stop
  • Not present at time of survey Ferry

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Challenges

  • Not present at time of survey Scrambling
  • Not present at time of survey Wading
  • Not present at time of survey Swimming
  • Not present at time of survey Climbing
  • Not present at time of survey Stepping stones
  • Maybe present Very slippery
  • Maybe present Very muddy
  • Not present at time of survey Very icy
  • Maybe present Likely to flood
  • Maybe present Long grass sections
  • Maybe present Crops encroaching on path
  • Maybe present Diverted path

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Obstacles

  • Not present at time of survey Stiles
  • Present at time of survey Step and kerbs
  • Not present at time of survey Possible to avoid steps, if applicable
  • Present at time of survey Flights of steps
  • Not present at time of survey Gates
  • Kissing gates
  • Not present at time of survey Locked gates
  • Not present at time of survey Disables access gates
  • Present at time of survey Cycle barriers
  • Not present at time of survey Ladders
  • Not present at time of survey Cattle grids
  • Not present at time of survey Fords
  • Present at time of survey Narrow bridges
  • Not present at time of survey Ferry required
  • Present at time of survey Acceptable road walking
  • Not present at time of survey Unacceptable road walking
  • Not present at time of survey Dangerous road crossings
  • Present at time of survey Walking on paths beside roads
  • Not present at time of survey Walking on verges beside roads
  • Not present at time of survey Railway crossings
  • Not present at time of survey River crossings
  • Not present at time of survey Cattle possible
  • Not present at time of survey Horses possible
  • Present at time of survey Tidal area
  • Present at time of survey Potential falls
  • Present at time of survey Exposed to elements
  • Not present at time of survey Remote area
  • Not present at time of survey Mountainous area
  • Not present at time of survey Military training area
  • Not present at time of survey No visible path
  • Present at time of survey Seasonal nesting birds
  • Other hazards

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Accessibility

  • Present at time of survey Free of stiles
  • Not present at time of survey Free of single steps/kerbs
  • Not present at time of survey Free of flights of steps
  • Not present at time of survey Free of other obstacles

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Measurements

The narrowest part of the path is 50.00cm

The steepest uphill gradient East: no data

The steepest uphill gradient West: no data

The steepest camber: no data

How clear is the waymarking on the route: Clear

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Successfully completed

  • Small Pug-sized dog
  • Small Labrador-sized dog
  • Large St. Bernard-sized dog
  • Standard pram
  • Off-road rugged pram
  • Standard wheelchair
  • Off-road rugged wheelchair
  • Standard mobility scooter
  • Off-road rugged mobility scooter

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Expert recommendations

  • Small Pug-sized dog
  • Small Labrador-sized dog
  • Large St. Bernard-sized dog
  • Standard pram
  • Off-road rugged pram
  • Standard wheelchair
  • Off-road rugged wheelchair
  • Standard mobility scooter
  • Off-road rugged mobility scooter

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Terrain

15.00% of the route is on roads

45.00% of the route is paved

7.00% of the route is lit at night

50.00% of the route is muddy

50.00% of the route is over rough ground

There is no data on long grass

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