he Strawberry Line, a renowned cycle route in Somerset, is set to receive a new extension towards Wells, enhancing its connectivity and appeal.

The route, which currently stretches uninterrupted from Yatton railway station to Cheddar, is a favoured path for pedestrians and cyclists, linking various small towns and villages.

This new extension, expected to be completed in the coming months, will be situated to the east of Wells, near the Dulcote recycling centre.

The Strawberry Line Association has also confirmed the opening of a new off-road section near the villages of Sandford and Winscombe.

This section, known as the 'Sandford Link', is set to open on November 25. Spanning nearly one kilometre, it will provide a safer and more direct route for cyclists, eliminating the need to traverse Drove Way, Nye Road, and a busy section of the A368. The Sandford Link, distinct from other extensions like the route between Westbury-sub-Mendip and Easton, has been developed with the support of National Grid, in line with the construction of a new 400,000-volt substation.

This development is part of a larger plan to integrate the Strawberry Line with the Somerset Circle, a proposed 76-mile traffic-free circuit linking Bristol, Bath, the Mendip Hills, and the Somerset Levels.

The new substation, crucial in handling power from the Hinkley Point C power station, will supply electricity to local homes through underground cables, thus preserving the natural beauty of the Mendip Hills area. North Somerset Council will maintain the new path, transferred to them by National Grid.

A spokesman for the Strawberry Line Association said: "We all owe a huge thank you in advance to National Grid and North Somerset Council for making this all possible – it shows the strength of partnership."

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The new section will be opened on November 25, with walkers, cyclists and other path users being asked to congregate off Station Road at 10am – with participants being encouraged to dress up as superheroes for the occasions. Following the initial ride to Drove Way, there will be an activity zone in place between 10am and 2pm, with family entertainment, superhero meet and greets and refreshments being served. Once completed, the Somerset Circle will form a 76-mile traffic-free circuit linking Bristol, Bath, the Mendip Hills and the Somerset Levels.

In addition to this, two new sections of the Strawberry Line opened in Shepton Mallet in March, furthering the route's expansion. These developments are part of a concerted effort by volunteers and National Highways to close the gap to Wells, ultimately linking Shepton Mallet with the new Windsor Hill active travel route and the Frome Missing Links.

For more information on these developments and updates on the Strawberry Line, visit www.thestrawberryline.org.uk.