The recently opened walking and cycling route in Somerset has garnered praise from the local MP and has been brought into focus during a parliamentary debate on active travel. The Curry Rivel Active Travel Group has been working tirelessly to establish a safe travel route between Curry Rivel and Langport, diverting pedestrians and cyclists away from the busy A378 road.
The completed first phase of the route is now open to the public, with ongoing negotiations with adjacent landowners for the development of further sections in the coming months and years. Sarah Dyke, MP for Glastonbury and Somerton, applauded the initiative as an exemplary model for rural areas during a parliamentary debate on active travel.
The first segment, a brief section spanning approximately 200 metres on the north side of the A378 between North Street and Park Lane, was acquired by the parish council and cleared by volunteers in anticipation of the imminent route development. The path, constructed using locally sourced materials, mirrors the sustainable approach employed in previous projects such as the Strawberry Line and the Glastonbury town deal.
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The initiative garnered further support from Olly Glover, another MP, who emphasized the positive impact of dedicated infrastructure in promoting walking and cycling. Lilian Greenwood, the parliamentary under-secretary for the future of roads, reiterated the government’s commitment to facilitating walking and cycling throughout the UK, emphasizing the health and safety benefits of such initiatives.
The development of a new permissive path alongside Park Lane is being explored, with efforts to secure a section on Park Lane and Frog Lane as a registered bridleway underway. The route runs onto Huish Drove and connects with the Parrett Cycleway, part of the National Cycling Network route 339.
The Curry Rivel Active Travel Group is actively seeking volunteers and support for further development of the route. Donations and volunteer inquiries can be made through their website or by contacting the group directly.