Travelling between two expanding settlements on the Somerset Levels has been made more convenient with the completion of the first phase of a car-free route. The Curry Rivel Active Travel Group has been dedicated to creating a new active travel route between Curry Rivel and Langport, diverting pedestrians and cyclists away from the fast-moving traffic on the A378.
Working closely with the parish council, local landowners, and neighboring parishes, the group has obtained access to the route. This route will form part of a broader planned active travel network covering the Somerset Levels and Moors. The parish council’s approval for the purchase of a key strip of land along the main road led to work commencing in January, following a successful bid to the government’s rural England prosperity fund.
The first phase, now open to the public, is 200 meters long on the northern side of the A378 between North Street and Park Lane. Negotiations are ongoing with neighboring landowners to deliver further sections in the coming months and years. Constructed using locally sourced materials, the path is wide enough to accommodate pedestrians and cyclists in both directions, with a fence to protect neighboring land and the retention of the hedge near the main road.
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From this point, pedestrians and cyclists can travel down Park Lane, which becomes Frog Lane as it crosses into the neighboring parish of Huish Episcopi. Plans are in place to create a new section of permissive path in the neighboring fields, offering a smoother surface and protection for remaining farmland.
The path runs onto Huish Drove and connects to the Parrett Cycleway, part of the National Cycling Network route 339 which runs from Bridgwater to Langport via Burrowbridge. Following this cycleway leads to the Westover Trading Estate, providing access to Langport town centre and the River Parrett Trail.
Former parish councillor Tony Greenaway expressed optimism about delivering further sections of the path in the years to come, with potential active travel links forged through cooperation with other local parishes.
Further fundraising efforts are necessary to complete the remaining sections of the Curry Rivel route. The group is also seeking volunteers to assist with on-site work or promote the project on social media. Donations and volunteer inquiries can be made at www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/curryrivel-activetravel.