A public meeting will take place on January 24 in Wellington to discuss an exciting plan for a new off-road cycle and pedestrian link between Taunton and Wellington. The project, spearheaded by the Grand Western Greenway Association, aims to create a continuous and safe route following the historic path of the former Grand Western Canal. This initiative promises a safer alternative to the often busy and congested A38 road.
Local MP Gideon Amos and Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, which manages Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton and Wellington Community Hospital, are already backing the proposal. The meeting will be held at the 1st Wellington Scouts HQ, 6 Fore Street, from 2pm to 4pm, offering residents a chance to learn more and share their views.
A panel of experts will present detailed plans, including MP Gideon Amos, Grand Western Greenway Association founder Charles Biscoe, Taunton Town Council Chairman Tom Deakin, and John Grimshaw of Greenways and Cycle Routes, who has experience developing similar projects across Somerset. Councillors Dave Mansell and Keith Wheatley will also contribute.
Funding support from Active Travel England, which recently allocated nearly £10 million to Somerset for active travel projects, makes this the ideal time to advance the Greenway. The Department for Transport’s announcement ensures dedicated resources to accelerate design and delivery over the next four years.
The route’s western end is planned near the Pritex factory on Lillebonne Way, crossing the railway via an existing bridge. A key portion will run alongside a new development accessed from Wardleworth Way and utilize a ‘haul road’ retained by Network Rail for active travel after constructing the new Wellington railway station.
From there, the path will link directly to the northern platform of the station, proceed beyond the historic Nynehead boat lift to Nynehead Road, and connect to existing public rights of way leading toward East Nynehead. The Greenway will follow the former canal to Tone Green, then continue close to the railway line to the Oake/Bradford-on-Tone road—the site of a practical rail crossing allowing safe north-south passage.
The route will skirt the southern side of the railway through Allerford, past Ford Farm in Norton Fitzwarren, under Silk Mills Road next to the Wessex Water pumping station, providing access to a park-and-ride site. Active travelers can then follow established paths near the Frieze Hill Community Orchard, onto Staplegrove Road (A3027), and the shared path along Trenchard Way (A3087) leading to Taunton railway station.
Passengers will access downtown Taunton via the new Firepool boulevard and the soon-to-be-replaced Morrisons footbridge crossing the River Tone. The Greenway’s design aims to do more than connect two towns; it intends to link surrounding communities including Wiveliscombe, Langford Budville, Milverton, Nynehead, Hillfarrance, Oake, Bradford-on-Tone, Bishop’s Hull, and Norton Fitzwarren via quiet lanes and pathways.
The recently ratified Oake Neighbourhood Plan supports enhancing walking and cycling routes between Oake and Milverton, with potential connections to other nearby villages.
Further details on the January 24 meeting can be obtained from Keith Wheatley at 07710 326698 or via email at [email protected]. Interactive route maps and project information are available at www.grandwesterngreenway.co.uk.
Separately, Somerset Council confirmed that the new pedestrian and cycle bridge near Coal Orchard will be installed between March and August, concluding alongside Firepool boulevard construction. Funded by the Government’s Future High Streets Fund, these projects are distinct from Active Travel England grants.
Additionally, Wellington will see a new cycle route section on Taunton Road (B3187) near Lidl, funded with £607,000 from Active Travel England as part of the local cycling and walking infrastructure plan (LCWIP).