Strawberry Line Cheddar Valley Branch is a group of local people seeking to link Westbury Sub Mendip and neighbouring communities with the existing Strawberry Line Multi-user path to allow safe, off-road travel between the villages and the towns to the East and West. The group is affiliated to the Strawberry Line Society which represents several such local groups, across mid-Somerset and North Somerset with similar objectives. You can see what the Society has achieved on their website or follow them on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
The group has been active for many years and while local progress in the past was slow, that has now changed with five new sections opened since 2020, the most visible being within our parish from Station Road, Lodge Hill to Ebbor Lane, Easton completed in September 2023. You can see what has been achieved in other areas via the Strawberry Line Website & Social Media.
An interesting report on wildlife on the Strawberry line shows some of the benefits to nature as well as to people. The commitment by central government to promoting sustainable transport, and the now-dissolved Mendip District Council active leadership on the issue demonstrated that the time was right for a further push. Somerset Council, following on from Mendip District Council’s lead, has developed its active travel plan to enable more people to walk or cycle to work, having engaged with parish councils regarding plans for reducing motor vehicle use.
Currently there are endeavours underway to extend the path that leads from Wells to Dulcote Quarry beyond the Recycling Centre, a further section towards Wells from Shepton Mallet up to Summer Hill as well as a section from Shepton Mallet up to Windsor Hill as part of the wider Somerset Circle project. Further sections are in the development stages or under construction, in partnership with Greenways & Cycleroutes. This will not only enable people to get to work & school without using a car but will be important steps towards linking Cheddar, Wells and Shepton Mallet. See details below, remembering to keep out of any construction sites until new path sections are complete, for your own safety, thank you.
To find out more about Strawberry Line Cheddar Valley Branch or how you can help us achieve our goals please get in touch using the form below, as we are always welcome new volunteers. Or enjoy some of the new circular walks towards Easton from Station Road.
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