We are delighted to announce that the latest section of the Strawberry Line route between Wells and Shepton Mallet is now, informally, open, although we still have a little tidying to do before our official opening in May. The section links Charlie Bighams Quarry Kitchen and Churchill Batch Lane.
This was a particularly challenging kilometre to construct. We started work in March 23. The hill beside the Council’s Recycling Centre had to be excavated, as the Centre occupies the former trackbed of the railway, and we could only build on Tuesdays when the recycling centre was closed, in case a rock rolled down onto the public below. Work on the field section had to be paused because of the exceptionally wet winter, and we also had to erect a new shelter to provide shade for the landowners cattle.
We are immensely grateful to the fantastic team from our Contractors – Goldings, and particularly Mark and Lee. We managed to keep to budget thanks to the extraordinary amount of work put in by our volunteers under the leadership of Richard Jones and Steve Turner who turned out day after day yo install fencing and to plant new hedges.
This project was funded by the outgoing Mendip District Council.
The new route takes the planned Strawberry Line route from Wells a little closer towards Shepton Mallet. Although Churchill Batch Lane presents a steep climb at least the road is lightly trafficked. Further agreements are needed before we can complete the Greenway linking Wells and Shepton Mallet.
Greenways and Cycleroutes 