Next Strawberry Line section close to completion

A section of a new walking and cycling path in Somerset is close to completion.

The Strawberry Line link, near Kings Academy in Cheddar, will extend the existing route from the village's reservoir down to local housing developments.

The path currently runs from Yatton railway station to Wedmore Road in Cheddar and will eventually reach all the way to Collett Park in Shepton Mallet.

David Parkin said the Strawberry Line project, which he has been involved with for more than 20 years, had faced many setbacks over the years.

"For a long long time, we have repeatedly tried to get a route through in this direction and it's been repeatedly blocked by one thing or another," he said.

"So it's a terrific day to see this happen."

The new section of path will be constructed near Cheddar's household waste recycling centre, the Local Democracy Reporting Service was told.

South of the playing fields, a new walking and cycling bridge will be constructed over the Cheddar Yeo – along the lines of the bridge installed over the B3136 West Shepton, in Shepton Mallet, in October 2024.

Mick Fletcher, chairman of the Strawberry Line Society, said the team needed to obtain approval from the Environment Agency for the bridge.

"That bridge will arrive almost in kit form and be assembled on site," he said.

"It won't be quite as big as the bridge that was put in at Shepton Mallet but it will require more volunteers' effort to do it."

Mr Fletcher went on to thank all of the neighbouring communities - the school, multi-academy trust and the Diocese of Bath and Wells - for their "tremendous co-operation".

The Strawberry Line Society said funding for this section of the route came from grants provided by Mendip District Council, Active Travel England and the UK shared prosperity fund.

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