Efforts are underway to make cycling along Somerset’s A39 easier, thanks to a substantial £1.5m government funding allocation. The current limited cycling facilities on the busy rural road between Williton and Minehead force cyclists to contend with narrow paths or use the main road, jeopardizing their safety. The funding, secured by Somerset Council from Active Travel England, is earmarked for the development of a walking and cycling path on the A39, with the initial focus on the Carhampton to Dunster section.
The Minehead Area Active Travel group (MAAT) has expressed appreciation for the funding and provided input on the route’s design and construction to minimize disruption for motorists. The existing cycle path suffers from narrowness, overgrown vegetation, and hazards posed by heavy goods vehicles and holiday traffic. To address these issues, planned works involve the removal of the footway edges to make way for the new cycleway, with construction set to commence in February.
MAAT members have advocated for the temporary use of adjacent fields during construction to alleviate traffic delays and suggested situating the cycle path away from the road to enhance safety and comfort. The newly developed route is set to integrate with an existing cycle route between Dunster and Minehead, which encountered delays and traffic issues during construction.
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Local councillors have embraced the government funding, aiming to facilitate the route’s implementation with minimal disruption and emphasize the importance of improvements to local walking and cycling infrastructure. They also seek to apply the lessons learned from previous phases to mitigate future disruptions.
The new A39 active travel route’s design and implementation details are anticipated to be disclosed in the near future. Meanwhile, MAAT envisions an extension from Carhampton to Washford using quiet back roads and public rights of way. Another community organization, Greenways and Cycle Routes, has been collaborating to establish cost-effective cycle routes in Somerset, including extensions to the Strawberry Line and the development of multi-user paths as part of the Glastonbury town deal.
MAAT proposes upgrading an existing byway to connect with the Steam Coast Trail and the Mineral Line, emphasizing the importance of considering further expansions beyond the initial Carhampton to Dunster phase.