On 18 April, some 25 cyclists gathered on Wells Cathedral Green whilst exploring the ‘Somerset Circle’ cycle route. The route links Bath to Wells via Midsommer Norton and Shepton Mallet before heading on to Cheddar, Clevedon and Bristol and then back to Bath. The 88-mile route would be entirely off-road or on quiet lanes but for some key missing sections which have not yet been made available for cycle paths. The aim of the ride, organised by The Strawberry Line and its associated engineering charity Greenways and Cycleroutes, was to highlight these missing sections. It’s hoped this will build public and political support to help acquire the missing sections through negotiations with landowners. Local dignitaries, led by Tessa Munt MP, Mayor of Wells Louis Agabani, Mayoress Mary-Ellen Nowell, and Somerset councillors Ros Wyke, Theo Butt Phillip and Claire Sully, greeted the riders and wished them on their way to Cheddar.
Greenways and Cycleroutes was recently awarded £730k by Somerset Council to complete further sections of the Somerset Circle. The biggest impediment to finally completing the route remains arranging land leases. To find out more see https://www.thestrawberryline.org.uk/ and https://greenwaysandcycleroutes.org/.
Mayor of Wells Louis Agabani, Mayoress Mary-Ellen Nowell, Tessa Munt MP and Somerset councillors Ros Wyke and Theo Butt Philip greet the cyclists arriving at the Cathedral
Mayor and Mayoress of Wells Louis Agabani and Mary-Ellen Nowell, Tessa Munt MP and Somerset councillors Ros Wyke, Theo Butt Philip and Claire Sully pose with cyclists at the Cathedral
Greenways and Cycleroutes 