Work has commenced on creating an enhanced walking and cycling route leading to a popular heritage railway line in Somerset, linking nearby villages for improved accessibility.
Since 1996, the Somerset and Dorset Railway Heritage Trust has operated heritage train services on a small stretch of track running south from Midsomer Norton towards the village of Chilcompton. Currently, Chilcompton residents face a challenging journey on foot to reach Midsomer Norton, involving steep steps ascending from Fry’s Well onto the former railway trackbed, followed by navigating a narrow public right of way up to Tunnel Lane before proceeding north into town.
To address this, Greenways and Cycle Routes has begun constructing a new, wider ‘greenway’ that aims to facilitate easier access to the heritage railway line. The initial phase, known as the ‘Chilcompton and Norton Radstock Greenway’, will span 800 metres between Fry’s Well and Tunnel Lane, largely tracing the existing public right of way.
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Work officially started in early September, with information about the project displayed on laminated flyers near the Chilcompton end of the route. A spokesperson for Greenways and Cycle Routes explained that the path will be positioned at a higher level along the boundary of the old railway where possible. Notably, the current steep steps at Fry’s Well will be replaced with a gentler staircase, which will include a wheeling ramp designed to assist cyclists.
During construction, the popular walkway along the old railway trackbed will remain open except for one or two days while the Fry’s Well steps are being built. Upon completion of this section, efforts will focus on a second phase extending from Tunnel Lane to connect with the existing path beside the Somerset and Dorset Railway leading into Midsomer Norton.
In the meantime, cyclists are advised to use the route via Tunnel Lane and Silver Street to access the existing railway path towards Radstock.
Greenways and Cycle Routes have contributed significantly to several active travel initiatives across Somerset, including segments of the Strawberry Line, which was recently named the UK’s favourite path.
This new Chilcompton and Norton Radstock Greenway will, like the Strawberry Line, form part of the wider Somerset Circle. When completed, this 76-mile traffic-free circuit will connect the north Somerset coast-including Weston-super-Mare and Clevedon-with Bristol, Bath, the Mendip Hills, and Shepton Mallet.
Ultimately, the Chilcompton section will link with the Windsor Hill Greenway, which follows the former railway line north of Shepton Mallet, and the Colliers Way leading through Radstock towards Bath, with a spur extending towards Frome.