Ambitious plans to develop new walking and cycling routes throughout Somerset have encountered obstacles following changes to a crucial grant funding process. The Somerset Association of Local Councils (SALC), which unites town and parish councils across the county, allocates several grants annually to enhance community health and well-being, including support for active travel initiatives.
Earlier this year, high demand for these grants has led SALC to reduce the maximum grant available for future projects in 2024 from £35,000 to a capped £10,000. Despite this reduction, SALC remains committed to collaborating with local active travel organizations, such as the Strawberry Line Society and the Taunton Area Cycling Campaign (TACC), though substantial capital funding for major projects is unlikely.
At a virtual meeting on June 18 of Somerset Council’s cross-local community network (LCN) active travel steering group, SALC’s community health and well-being officer, Fodo Higginson, explained: “Leading up to early April, grants of up to £35,000 were available. However, due to demand, the remaining funds are limited, resulting in the new cap of £10,000. While the figure is somewhat flexible, SALC mainly supports volunteer-led projects rather than large capital expenditures.”
READ MORE: Village School Earns Praise with ‘Good’ Ofsted Rating Across All Areas
READ MORE: Taunton Special School Celebrated for Inclusive Approach and Outstanding SEND Progress
Higginson elaborated that smaller-scale initiatives focusing on community involvement, such as maintaining existing paths, exploring new path ideas, or replacing stiles with gates, remain eligible for funding. “If a proposal involves creating a major new path linking significant locations, it would likely be declined,” she clarified.
Mick Fletcher, chairman of the Strawberry Line Society, raised concerns about ongoing work on a new section of car-free paths around Kings Academy in Cheddar. The project includes engaging students in an art initiative to decorate a high-security fence, guided by a professional artist previously involved in similar community projects in North Somerset. Asked whether such a project fits the revised grant criteria, Higginson responded enthusiastically: “Absolutely, provided the application comes through the parish council or a coalition of parish councils. Our program prioritizes empowering parish councils to enhance community health and well-being. This sounds like a fantastic initiative.”
While funding constraints necessitate a shift in scale, Somerset’s active travel advocates continue to seek collaborative solutions to enrich opportunities for walking and cycling across the county.