{"id":42542,"date":"2025-10-07T09:20:22","date_gmt":"2025-10-07T08:20:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uwejournalism.net\/bowernews\/?p=42542"},"modified":"2025-10-07T09:20:22","modified_gmt":"2025-10-07T08:20:22","slug":"volunteers-lead-project-to-build-life-changing-somerset-path","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/uwejournalism.net\/bowernews\/2025\/10\/07\/volunteers-lead-project-to-build-life-changing-somerset-path\/","title":{"rendered":"Volunteers lead project to build &#8220;life changing&#8221; Somerset path"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-video\"><video height=\"1080\" style=\"aspect-ratio: 1920 \/ 1080;\" width=\"1920\" controls src=\"https:\/\/uwejournalism.net\/bowernews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Strawberry-Line-Video.mp4\"><\/video><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An ongoing project to expand a popular multi-user path in Somerset is progressing well, with volunteer groups leading the mission to improve the region\u2019s connectivity.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Once completed, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thestrawberryline.org.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Strawberry Line<\/a> will provide a car-free route from Shepton Mallet&nbsp;to Yatton railway station, passing through Wells and several other villages along the way.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Work on the routes is predominantly carried out by local volunteers. Richard Jones, treasurer of the Strawberry Line East group, believes that this is the \u201cbest way\u201d to execute the project.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIt\u2019s important for the community to feel like they own the path from the outset,\u201d says Jones. \u201cThis model of community ownership is inspiring, it\u2019s exciting, and it yields better results\u201d.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/uwejournalism.net\/bowernews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Wells-path_EDIT.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-42547\" srcset=\"https:\/\/uwejournalism.net\/bowernews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Wells-path_EDIT.jpg 700w, https:\/\/uwejournalism.net\/bowernews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Wells-path_EDIT-300x171.jpg 300w, https:\/\/uwejournalism.net\/bowernews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Wells-path_EDIT-640x366.jpg 640w, https:\/\/uwejournalism.net\/bowernews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Wells-path_EDIT-681x389.jpg 681w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The completed Wells to Dulcote path.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Richard Page, who has been volunteering with the Strawberry Line for six years, says the work the group does is \u201cvery rewarding\u201d.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIt\u2019s great to see when people actually start using the paths,\u201d says Page. \u201cPeople will hopefully be able to get a lot fitter and enjoy the countryside.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">We\u2019re proud of and grateful to our extensive community of volunteers, friends, key partners, trustees, council backers, political support, neighbouring path projects, \ud83c\udf53Line pioneers and huge huge public support. \ud83e\udd70<br><br>We simply can\u2019t do all the work without you. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/KM88JytujR\">pic.twitter.com\/KM88JytujR<\/a><\/p>&mdash; The Strawberry Line (@StrawbLine) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/StrawbLine\/status\/1874444987070308676?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">January 1, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote> <script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script> \n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Since 2021, several new sections have been completed, including the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/articles\/c75w63zylvwo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">installation of a new footbridge<\/a> in Shepton Mallet in October. These recent developments come after what Jones describes as \u201ca rather bumpy\u201d history.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While North Somerset has had access to a large network of cycle paths since the 1990s, these projects have moved more slowly in the rest of the county.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, following a change in administration at Mendip District Council in 2019, there appears to have been more backing for projects like the Strawberry Line.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThese paths are beyond special and even life changing for communities,\u201d says Jones, who emphasises the impact the routes have on the physical and mental health of locals.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe\u2019re all being told to move more, but if the infrastructure to do so doesn&#8217;t exist, then it is a little bit of a Catch-22,&#8221; he adds.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Jones also highlights the crucial role these paths play in supporting the\u00a0local economy and helping the environment.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The finished route would make up a large portion of the&nbsp;proposed \u2018Somerset Circle\u2019, a 76-mile route spanning various segments of disused railway lines across the region.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/uwejournalism.net\/bowernews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/SomersetCirclemap-EDIT.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-42544\" srcset=\"https:\/\/uwejournalism.net\/bowernews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/SomersetCirclemap-EDIT.jpg 700w, https:\/\/uwejournalism.net\/bowernews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/SomersetCirclemap-EDIT-300x171.jpg 300w, https:\/\/uwejournalism.net\/bowernews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/SomersetCirclemap-EDIT-640x366.jpg 640w, https:\/\/uwejournalism.net\/bowernews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/SomersetCirclemap-EDIT-681x389.jpg 681w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The proposed Somerset Circle. Image credit: Strawberry Line Society<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tessa Munt, MP for Wells and Mendip Hills,<strong> <\/strong>says the path \u201cwill greatly enhance safety and contribute towards tourism across the whole area.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Munt complimented the project\u2019s leaders for finding solutions to move round&nbsp;\u201cbureaucratic barriers that might have beaten a less enthusiastic, optimistic and dedicated group of supporters.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIt has been an absolute delight to watch volunteers set to and get on with the job of making the Strawberry Line multi-user path a reality.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Over two thirds of the Somerset Circle have already been completed, including the Bristol &amp; Bath Railway Path, the Two Tunnels Greenway, and the River Avon Trail.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Other volunteer groups across the region, like the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/WindsorHillTunnels\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Friends of Windsor Hill Tunnels<\/a> and the <a href=\"https:\/\/fromesmissinglinks.org.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Frome\u2019s Missing Links<\/a>, are working to complete the unfinished sections of the route.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">More improvements to the Strawberry Line are planned over the next 18 months. Volunteers are currently aiming to clear the proposed path between Shepton Mallet and Wells.&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>An ongoing project to expand a popular multi-user path in Somerset is progressing well, with volunteer groups leading the mission to improve the region\u2019s connectivity.&nbsp; Once completed, the Strawberry Line will provide a car-free route from Shepton Mallet&nbsp;to Yatton railway station, passing through Wells and several other villages along the way.&nbsp; Work on the routes [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":321,"featured_media":42543,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1657],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-42542","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-assignments"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/uwejournalism.net\/bowernews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42542","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/uwejournalism.net\/bowernews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/uwejournalism.net\/bowernews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/uwejournalism.net\/bowernews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/321"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/uwejournalism.net\/bowernews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=42542"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/uwejournalism.net\/bowernews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42542\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":42548,"href":"https:\/\/uwejournalism.net\/bowernews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42542\/revisions\/42548"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/uwejournalism.net\/bowernews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/42543"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/uwejournalism.net\/bowernews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=42542"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/uwejournalism.net\/bowernews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=42542"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/uwejournalism.net\/bowernews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=42542"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}