Efforts are underway to enhance walking and cycling access to a cherished Somerset heritage railway from nearby villages. Since 1996, the Somerset and Dorset Railway Heritage Trust has operated heritage trains on a short stretch of track south of Midsomer Norton towards Chilcompton.
Currently, residents of Chilcompton face challenging terrain to reach Midsomer Norton on foot, having to navigate steep steps at Fry’s Well to access the former railway trackbed, then follow a narrow public path up to Tunnel Lane before continuing into the town.
However, this route is set to become more accessible by Christmas. Greenways and Cycle Routes has commenced construction on a new, wider ‘greenway’ that will ultimately run from Chilcompton to the heritage railway. The initial phase, covering 800 metres, will link Fry’s Well and Tunnel Lane, closely following the current public right of way.
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Work began in early September, with local residents informed through laminated flyers placed near the Chilcompton entrance to the route. A spokesperson for Greenways and Cycle Routes explained that “the path will run at a high level along the boundary of the old railway whenever possible. At Fry’s Well, the steep steps will be replaced by a gentler staircase that includes a wheeling ramp for bicycles. The popular walk along the old railway trackbed will remain open throughout most of the construction, except for brief closures during the Fry’s Well staircase build.”
Following completion of this phase, planning will focus on extending the path from Tunnel Lane to the existing route alongside the Somerset and Dorset Railway leading into Midsomer Norton. In the meantime, cyclists can use Tunnel Lane and Silver Street to access the current railway path towards Radstock.
Greenways and Cycle Routes has played a key role in developing numerous active travel projects across Somerset, including new sections of the Strawberry Line, recently named the UK’s favourite path.
Eventually, the Chilcompton and Norton Radstock Greenway will join the broader Somerset Circle, an ambitious 76-mile traffic-free network linking coastal towns Weston-super-Mare and Clevedon, Bristol, Bath, the Mendip Hills, and Shepton Mallet. The Chilcompton segment will connect with the Windsor Hill Greenway north of Shepton Mallet and the Colliers Way extending through Radstock towards Bath, with a branch leading to Frome.