Cheddar school pupils could soon enjoy safer journeys to and from school under plans to extend a long-distance walking and cycling route.
The Strawberry Line currently runs uninterrupted from Yatton railway station to Wedmore Road in Cheddar, and will eventually reach all the way to Collett Park in Shepton Mallet.
Numerous extensions to the multi-user path have been implemented over the last few years, with the focus being on closing the gap between Shepton Mallet and Wells via the neighbouring villages.
But plans have now been unveiled for a new link near Kings Academy in Cheddar – and work could begin as soon as the Easter holidays.
Pupils wishing to walk or cycle to the academy from the Draycott Park housing estate (i.e. homes south of the Cheddar Yeo river) can currently use a shared use path from Labourham Way.
However, this path narrows closer to the school after the junction with Parson Pen, with cyclists having to dismount and little room for people to pass in either direction.
Under the new proposals (put forward by Greenways and Cycle Routes), a new off-road path will be constructed near Cheddar’s household recycling centre, coming into the perimeter of the school’s playing fields.
The exact route will be agreed with the academy and will be cordoned off with a two-metre-high fence to prevent unauthorised access to the school grounds.
South of the playing fields, a new walking and cycling bridge will be constructed over the Cheddar Yeo – along the lines of the bridge installed over the B3136 West Shepton in Shepton Mallet back in October 2024.
The existing public footpath along the river will be diverted around the bridge, with the links to Thynne Way and Old Bridge Lane both being upgraded.
Finally, the existing mown path off Old Bridge Lane will be upgraded to provide a legally compliant link between the riverside path and the existing shared used path.
A spokesman for the Strawberry Line Society said: “The route will connect to the existing stretch of the Strawberry Line south of Cheddar and enable direct access for people living south of the Cheddar Yeo.
“As a joint project we aim to involve the school community – pupils, parents and staff – in both the initial construction phase and the ongoing management of the asset.
“Community involvement will begin over the Easter holidays (April 5 to 20). When volunteers from both partners will install a security fence between the line of the path and school grounds.
“Kings Academy intends to build further activities for pupils around work on the path which will provide many opportunities for artwork, environmental studies and practical construction tasks.
A spokesman said: “We recognise that active travel routes and improvements can often be more successful through community delivery.
“We will support development of community led off-road routes, such as the Strawberry Line and Steam Coast Trail, that provide vital connections, leisureopportunities and experience for those new and returning to active travel.”
To get involved with the Strawberry Line – including the delivery of this new section – visit www.thestrawberryline.org.uk.