Plans to create a dedicated walking and cycling route between Taunton and Wellington have received enthusiastic backing from senior NHS leaders in Somerset. Currently, pedestrians and cyclists navigating between these growing towns must contend with the busy A38 road, which is often congested and offers limited or narrow pavements—making journeys hazardous and unpleasant.
The proposed Grand Western Greenway will provide a safer, off-road pathway spanning approximately seven and a half miles. Following much of the former Grand Western Canal route, it will run north of the A38, connecting Wellington’s Longforth Farm housing development with Taunton railway station.
Retired Wellington resident Charles Biscoe, spearheading the project, recently secured support from the Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, which manages Musgrove Park Hospital and other local health services. This backing comes just ahead of a forthcoming feasibility study that will define the route in detail, assisting in obtaining funding from government bodies, housing developers, and other partners.
The walkway and cycleway will feature new all-weather paths built using proven construction methods similar to those employed on the Strawberry Line and under the Glastonbury town deal. Beginning at an existing footbridge in Wellington, the route will connect to the newly confirmed Taunton railway station. From there, it winds through East Nynehead and Bradford-on-Tone, near new developments in Norton Fitzwarren, before nearing the Silk Mills Road park and ride site.
Patients and staff at Musgrove Park Hospital will benefit greatly, with easy access via the park and ride or established active travel paths through Longrun Meadow to the hospital, as well as further links into Taunton’s cycle network.
Hayley Peters, Chief Nurse at the Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, highlighted the positive impact the greenway will have. “For colleagues living around Wellington, having a safe cycling route to work improves health and wellbeing,” she explained. “It also helps reduce our carbon footprint by cutting down vehicle use on the busy A38 and offers patients and carers an alternative way to reach appointments.”
Peter Lewis, Trust Chief Executive, echoed these benefits: “Providing alternatives to car travel supports staff health and engagement, which in turn enhances patient care. Active travel like walking and cycling has proven health advantages that help prevent illness, easing pressure on NHS resources.”
The project aligns with rising interest in ‘social prescribing,’ where GPs recommend activities like walking groups as non-medical interventions to improve health. Lewis noted that accessible infrastructure is key: “Having a ready-made greenway means more patients can follow exercise advice, boosting outcomes and potentially saving NHS funds.”
Local MP Gideon Amos also voiced his support, calling the new Taunton railway station “the first piece of the jigsaw” critical to the greenway’s success. Residents and commuters will soon enjoy seamless cycling access between the towns, making sustainable travel a practical reality.
With the feasibility study expected by late July, discussions with landowners along the proposed path are underway to secure permissions. The project’s proponents emphasize that this greenway will not only improve health and wellbeing but also offer a safer, more pleasant travel experience, steering the region towards a greener, more connected future.