Strawberry Line Westbury is a group of local people seeking to link Westbury Sub Mendip with the existing Strawberry Line Multi-user path to allow safe, off-road travel between the village and the communities to the East and West. The group is affiliated to the Strawberry Line Association which represents several such local groups with similar objectives. You can see what the Association 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 three new sections opened since 2020, the most visible being within our parish from Station Road, Lodge Hill to Erlon Lane which opened in 2022. 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 Mendip District Council active leadership on the issue demonstrate that the time is right for a further push. Mendip District Council 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 to 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 separate Somerset Circle project. Further sections are in the early development stages, such as linking Erlon Lane to Ebbor Lane through Easton, 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.
To find out more about Strawberry Line Westbury or how you can help us achieve our goals please get in touch using the form below, as we are always welcome new volunteers.