Strawberry line Update
Our thanks to Richard Jones for sending this weeks update on the Strawberry Line
Most of you will be familiar with the Strawberry Line project, which aims to build and maintain a continuous 30-mile traffic-free greenway (utilising as much of the disused Cheddar Valley Line and Yatton-Clevedon branch line trackbeds as possible) between Clevedon and Shepton Mallet. I am a trustee of the overarching Strawberry Line Society, but also volunteer coordinator for the growing stretch from Wells to Dulcote Hill.
Many miles of path have been constructed since the change of administration in 2019 at the now defunct Mendip District Council, and subsequently the new Somerset Council in 2022.
With local government supporting, even prioritising the implementation of paths like the Strawberry Line, all other pieces could fall into place.
A solid volunteer base built up over many years to make delivery financially viable and make the finished product truly community-owned, a spectacularly good local contractor in Goldings of Rodney Stoke, Bristol-based charitable company Greenways & Cycleroutes (whose engineer is the founding father of Sustrans, John Grimshaw), and last but absolutely not least some enthusiastic, trusting and generous landowners: they all contributed to this fragile reality of actually seeing new traffic-free paths being built, of visible change on the ground. If one were to remove even one of these players, this favourable eco-system would collapse, and the Strawberry Line would stop growing.
My personal gratitude goes to all these wonderful people, in equal measure. It is truly a collective, communal, and local effort, a wonderful example of how, if everyone pulls together, something quite magical can happen. And it is a magical thing, the Strawberry Line: it renders the countryside safe and hospitable, for all, regardless of age or ability, and creates meaningful connections across our local landscape. I cannot wait for the time when we manage to join up significant population centres.
Which brings me to ‘my’ stretch: Wells to Shepton Mallet. I get asked frequently when the two will finally join up. Of course, it’s impossible to say while sensitive negotiations with landowners are still ongoing.
But a new section from Bigham’s to Churchill Batch Lane (east of the tip) should formally open in the next one to two months. We volunteers have installed hundreds of meters of green security fencing and several gates behind and east of the recycling centre. starting last July and only finishing this week!
And I’ll let you in on a little secret: you can informally, unofficially explore the path already, the barriers are down. So why not take a wander over the Easter holiday?
If you’d like to join our friendly team of volunteers, please get in touch with me directly at rtjonesmusic@gmail.com.