The Strawberry Line
The Strawberry Line's Cheddar Valley Branch is a local group seeking to link Easton 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 a part of the Strawberry Line Society which represents several such local groups, across mid and North Somerset with similar objectives. You can follow the Society on their website , Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
The Cheddar Valley 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 a Permissive Path within our parish from Ebbor Lane, Easton to Station Road, Lodge Hill completed in 2023.
A report on wildlife on the Strawberry line shows some of the benefits of improved biodiversity as well as to people. The commitment by central and local government to promoting sustainable transport 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 to Churchill Batch Lane in 2024, further sections towards Wells from Shepton Mallet up to Summer Hill Lane, as well as a section from Shepton Mallet up to Windsor Hill as part of the wider 76-mile Somerset Circle project, which is approaching 70% complete. Further sections that bridge the remaining gaps are in the development stages or under construction, in partnership with Greenways & Cycleroutes; such as Easton to Haybridge. This will not only enable people to get to work & school without using a car but will be important steps towards linking Cheddar, Wells, Shepton Mallet and beyond.
Existing and proposed routes
THE STRAWBERRY LINE- based on the old railway route for transporting strawberries, this route has 5 sections: from Wells to Dulcote Quarry (and soon to be extended to Churchill Batch Lane in 2024); a proposed route from Wells to Glastonbury via Coxley Halt, Rodney Stoke to Draycott, West Shepton to Ridge Road and a section in Easton. It has active local Branches and is supported by many parish councils, Somerset Council and their partners Greenways Ltd. Find out more or volunteer and get involved!
PROPOSED PROJECTS
- Dulcote Quarry to Churchill Batch Lane - Extension of The Strawberry Line (Eastwards)
- West Shepton to Summer Hill Lane (Westwards)
- Easton to Haybridge
- Wells to Coxley & Polsham
- Shepton Mallet to Evercreech
Find out more........
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 Westbury Sub Mendip from Ebbor Lane.
Become a part of their story as a member or volunteer.
