A well-loved walking and cycling path near Somerset’s emerging gigafactory has been significantly upgraded, thanks to central government funding. The Lock’s Way cycle link connects the village of Bawdrip, northeast of Bridgwater, to nearby Cossington near Woolavington. This route forms part of the National Cycle Network (NCN) Route 3, facilitating active travel in the area.
Sustrans, the UK’s leading active travel charity responsible for managing the NCN, recently completed £37,000 worth of essential repairs to improve conditions for pedestrians and cyclists. Working alongside Somerset Council, further enhancements are planned to create stronger connections between Bridgwater and Woolavington, especially as the new gigafactory continues to develop.
Lock’s Way largely traces the old trackbed of a branch line from the former Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway (SDJR), connecting communities once served by small stations at Bawdrip and Cossington. The SDJR—nicknamed variously as the “Slow and Dirty,” “Slow and Doubtful,” or the “Serene and Delightful”—was known for its picturesque routes despite some operational challenges. Bawdrip Halt, added in 1923 after local demand, and Cossington station both closed to passengers in the early 1950s, with freight services ending in the 1960s.
Today, NCN Route 3 follows the southern bank of the King’s Sedgemoor Drain, which is temporarily closed until mid-July for sluice repairs by the Environment Agency. From there, the route passes through Bawdrip, past key landmarks such as St Michael and All Angels Church, before reaching the entrance to Lock’s Way on Eastside Lane.
The pathway includes a distinctive corkscrew section leading to The King’s Seat, featuring an information board detailing the railway’s history. The route then descends at a gentler incline along the old railway bed, passing beneath the busy A39 Bath Road near Bawdrip petrol station. Lock’s Way concludes on Brent Road in Cossington by the R. M. Smith Playing Fields, where travellers can continue east towards Glastonbury or west toward Woolavington and the Gravity site, home to the gigafactory construction.
The recent £37,000 repairs focused on the southern section of Lock’s Way, where ground movement had caused the path to crack and become unsafe—particularly for wheelchair and mobility scooter users. According to a Sustrans spokesperson, “We repaired a 100-metre stretch affected by ground movement to ensure it remains accessible. This was funded by Active Travel England, and we continue to collaborate with Somerset Council to explore further improvements for the National Cycle Network in Bridgwater and beyond.”
The Bridgwater Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP), published by Somerset County Council in May 2022, outlines a long-term commitment to improving cycle links between Bridgwater and surrounding villages, including Bawdrip, Puriton, Woolavington, and Westonzoyland. These upgrades rely on funding from central government grants and contributions from housing developers.
Plans for enhanced walking and cycling infrastructure at Woolavington could coincide with proposed housing developments currently under consideration in the village. Somerset Council, which took over from the county council in April 2023, has so far declined to provide additional comments on Lock’s Way’s future role.