Active Travel

This page quotes from the Parish Council’s Active Travel page, here.

Active Travel Q&A Section

Full Active Travel Feasibility Study

Curry Rivel to Langport Active Travel path

Active Travel is a national policy for reducing car dependence by creating paths for walking, wheeling and cycling.

In 2023 Curry Rivel Parish Council adopted its own policy to make an Active Travel path between Curry Rivel and Langport. (See Key Priorities document below.) A Working Group assists with the project.

The proposed Active Travel path is divided into Sections. Where the path runs along land managed by Somerset Council Highways (or it is already a Public Right of Way) then completing the path is about improving what is already there. This may require additional consent from a landowner or permission from Somerset Council Highways. The main cost will be physical upgrading of the path and then maintaining it to Active Travel standards.

Other sections of the planned path are in private ownership and negotiation has been ongoing with landowners to buy strips of land over which the path can run.

Help us make this happen

We might not be as established as the Strawberry Line just yet, but we’re always happy to welcome anyone who’d like to get involved.

If you’re interested, please get in touch with Mark Robinson at mark.aubertin@gmail.com or Tony Greenaway at tgreenaway51@gmail.com.

Right now, we’re especially keen to hear from anyone who could lend a hand with PR and social media.

The sections of the path

The path is divided into sections, numbered 1 to 8, shown in the map below. The exact route of the path is subject to ongoing landowner discussions.

Section 1

Discussions are ongoing with landowners on this section. The final route to be used will come from these discussions.

Section 2

The first section to be completed, a 200m strip of land running alongside the A378, is now open. Curry Rivel Parish Council received funding from Somerset Council to purchase the land and have successfully obtained a Rural England Prosperity Fund grant (via Somerset Council) to cover the groundworks to create this first section of brand new path. It is being maintained and improved by our wonderful team of volunteers. The wildflowers that they sowed along the margins in the spring are now blooming beautifully. A bench, bin, and signposts have been bought and will be installed soon. Wooden “chicane” barriers have been installed at the start and end of Section 2, to dissuade motorised traffic and to slow cycles before they get back onto the A378 footpath. A tree surgeon has inspected the trees alongside the path, and has identified some that will need attention. The volunteer maintainers will address this, too.

Cllr Richard Wilkins, Lead Member for Transport & Waste Services, Somerset Council, said: “This signifies a huge milestone in the project. The Curry Rivel Active Travel group and their volunteers have shown dedication and resolve to push this from merely an aspiration to a reality.”

Sarah Dyke MP, whose Glastonbury and Somerton constituency includes Curry Rivel, has openly praised the scheme during a parliamentary debate on active travel, highlighting it as an example of what could be achieved in rural areas. She said: “I was recently privileged to be one of the first cyclists to use the newly opened section of the Curry Rivel Active Travel Group’s car-free path – a transport-free route along the A378, which is a really busy road. It benefits pupils at many of the local primary schools and the local academy. With half of local pupils ineligible for free secondary school transport, the path provides a safe space. Does my honourable friend agree that investing in active travel routes is key to supporting safe and sustainable school journeys, particularly in rural areas?”

The new path section has been well covered in the local press. See, for example, Somerset County Gazette, 28th April. Somerset Live contained a detailed report on 12 December 2024, and recorded a video report.

Although this is a relatively small part of the whole path, it is a huge step forward to show that we can do what we planned. It has also been a very valuable learning experience for the team, with lessons that we can take to the next sections that are built.

Section 3

This will go along the footpath for now. Other options will be considered in due course.

In due course, we hope that a pedestrian crossing can be installed at a suitable and safe location close to where the route crosses the A378. This is the responsibility of Somerset Council Highways, and we are in discussions with them.

Section 4 to 6, Park Lane & Frog Lane

Good progress is being made on finalising this section of the route. We have agreement in principle with the landowners to run the path alongside Park Lane and Frog Lane. This will be more pleasant and safer for the users, with better views and separation from motor traffic. It will actually be cheaper to install, as the surfacing will not need to take heavy vehicles.

We are hoping to receive some stone following the completion of the Environment Agency’s works around the Midelney pumping station.

Sections 7, 8, and beyond

We are working with Huish Episcopi and Langport councils to extend the path in an easterly direction into Langport and towards Huish Academy school.

Active travel in Curry Rivel village

Road safety works in Curry Rivel village

Following plans and pressure from the Curry Rivel Active Travel project, Somerset Council has implemented some road safety works in the village, with improvements to road markings and signage outside the school, and with improvements at the crossing point on the A378 near the Westfield play area. We had hoped for more, such as a controlled crossing point for Westfield; we will continue to push for these as the opportunity arises.

Parish consultation on speeds on the A378

The Parish Plan update consultation showed strong support for controlling speeds on the A378 and in the rest of the village and parish. Discussions on feasibility and costs continue.

Speed indicator devices (SIDs)

There are two SIDs on the A378, but they haven’t worked for at least two years. CRPC has bought some more, of a type that is successfully being used in nearby communities. Arrangements for installing them are underway.

Pedestrian crossings

We would still like to see safe and effective pedestrian crossings of the A378 in the village, and where the path to Langport will cross the A378. This will be neither cheap nor simple, but we will continue to discuss them with Somerset Council.

Links to other local paths

Drayton

Drayton PC are starting work on a link path from North Street to the path alongside Park Lane.

Huish Drove

Langport and Huish councils are working towards an active travel route along Huish Drove.

Aller

Aller PC are working with Langport to improve the path alongside the Parrett.

Fivehead

Early stage discussions are ongoing about improving paths between Fivehead and Curry Rivel councils.

Funding

Very little of the funding of the paths has come from the Curry Rivel Parish Council precept (the part of your Council Tax that goes to the parish council). Most of it has come from county and national grants, and from donations from a generous public.

However, we can point out that the Parish Plan of 2015 had this path as something that people wanted, and the survey that we ran in 2024 for the 2025 update confirms that a clear majority remain keen on the idea. The Parish Council therefore believes that it is spending public money in the way that a majority of people in the parish wish.

A crowdfunding site is being maintained by a member of the public, who is kindly donating the money raised to towards creating an active travel path to Langport.

Links with other groups

The Curry Rivel active travel team is working closely with the Levels and Moors Local Community Network Active Travel group.
Members of local parish and town councils have joined the Curry Rivel Parish Council Active Travel Working Group, and are working with members of their own communities to help to make the Curry Rivel to Langport path reality.
Other ways of organising active travel in the area are being considered, for example creating a community interest charity.

Thank you

Curry Rivel Parish Council is grateful to all the dedicated individuals who have volunteered time to start making the Active Travel path a reality.

We also want to thank everyone for donations made towards the project. As well as individual contributions support has been received since 2022 from Somerset Council, Rural England Prosperity Fund, Cycle Somerset, Langport Town Council, Huish Episcopi Parish Council, and Curry Rivel News.

More information

The Chairman of the Active Travel Working Group is Cllr Matt Geen

There is more information on Active Travel in the area around Curry Rivel and Langport on this community Facebook page

Active Travel Q&A

1. Who holds liability if someone is injured while using the path?

CRPC has public liability insurance, which covers its liability for the public using the path. It is the same situation as with any member of the public using the PC’s assets, for example, the Westfield playing field. Users are responsible for their own actions, and the PC is responsible for ensuring that the assets are safe and well maintained.

2. What portion of the funding comes from grants, and how much is contributed by the Parish?

Very little of the money so far has come from the Parish Council precept. See the Funding section on this page.

3. How was the estimated usage of the bike path determined?

A detailed study of prospects for active travel in and around the parish was conducted for the PC by consultants PJA. A summary of the Key priorities can be found – HERE
Their detailed report advises that, by comparing with areas where the correct infrastructure is provided, around 10% of commuters will cycle to work, compared with a current rate of 1%, and more than 25% of children will cycle to school, compared with just one or two children at present.

4. Why not focus on maintaining and improving existing pavements instead?

We currently work with Somerset Council to get them to maintain pavements and paths, ask residents to maintain their hedges alongside pavements, and get the PC’s contracted workers to undertake maintenance, where SC does not do this work in good time.
However, the existing pavements, including the one to Langport, run alongside the busy main road, where safety and comfort are not ideal.
The existing path to Langport is not suitable for cycles, and changes to it will not fix that problem. Nor is it, or could it be, suitable for wheelchairs, electric disability buggies, etc.

5. Since road bikes with thin tyres can’t use the path, doesn’t that limit its usefulness?

The surface used in the existing section, and that planned for the rest of the path, uses a surface advised by national cycle path organisations, and the same as used on other local cycle and active travel paths. Personal experience and feedback from users has not identified a problem with thin tyres.
The path is, of course, designed for use by a wide range of users, with tyres and wheels of all kinds.

6. What happens if volunteer interest declines and the path becomes overgrown?

We have a keen team of volunteers, and the experience of other nearby active travel networks suggests that this will continue. However, the Parish Council has recognised that, in the unlikely event that the volunteer team does not fully maintain the path, then the Council’s paid subcontractors could take on some of the maintenance work.

7. Why was the entire field cleared in the section before the road crossing, rather than just the path area? Was this necessary?

The field next to the first section of the path to be built, alongside the A378, is not owned by the Parish Council, and is not part of the active travel plans. We are aware that the owner of the field used the same contractor that built the path to clear their field at the same time. This was a private matter for the owner.

8. Is Section 2 the only part of the route that has been constructed, with the rest simply following existing paths and roads?

That is currently the case, but we are hoping to start work on the rest of the path within a few months.

9. Why hasn’t there been more proactive engagement with the community throughout the project?

The Parish Council has been very active in engaging with the community on this project. It was one of the main recommendations from the 2015 Parish Plan.
A survey ran in 2024, widely publicised in Curry Rivel News, the PC website, and social media, showed strong continuing support for the idea.
A Facebook Group for the Curry Rivel Active Travel project has 337 members and growing: https://www.facebook.com/groups/curryrivelactivetravel.
The project was part of the Parish Council’s display at the village fete in July ’25, with much useful conversation with the many members of the public who visited the stand.
The project frequently has articles in Curry Rivel News.
Articles have appeared in local press and websites.
The public always has the opportunity to give its views by contacting the parish council clerk on clerk@curryrivel.org.uk, or by attending parish council meetings.

Following the feasibility study carried out in 2021 by a respected national Consultancy specialising in these projects, there was widespread communication on Facebook, Curry Rivel News and the then Curry Rivel website on the findings from the study. Furthermore, a public meeting was held in the Village Hall providing plenty of opportunity for the community to see the proposals and ask questions to the consultant and the Council. Since then there continues to be regular updates in the CRN, the Village Website, the Press and social media

10. What has been spent on the project so far?

This information is contained in the Finances section of the Parish Council website; see https://www.curryrivelparishcouncil.gov.uk/the-council/finance-agar/.
We will provide a summary of the project finances in due course.
Also, see the Funding section of this page.

11. What is the projected total cost of the project?

See the answer to question 10.

12. What are the expected annual maintenance costs going forward?

With most of the maintenance work undertaken by volunteers, the costs to the PC and its ratepayers are expected to be small. The PC’s budget for 2026/27 includes an amount of £2000 for active travel path maintenance, out of a total parish maintenance budget of £37,675.

13. How many people have actually used the path since it opened?

We have not formally collected this information to date. The section that has opened will only provide its full benefit when the rest of the path is complete. We hope to be able to collect usage information at that time.

14. Why is the route not accessible to horse riders?

Experience from other similar paths indicates that horses could damage the surface of the path, and could present an obstacle or risk to other users of the path.
However, we are keen that the active travel paths in and around the parish should be used by a wide variety of unmotorised traffic, and we will wish to discuss this with the local horse riding community.

15. Why are cyclists required to dismount in certain areas?

The existing path section starts and ends on the pavement adjacent to the busy main road. It is therefore safest that cyclists dismount at the end of the section. The need for this will reduce when the adjacent path sections are complete.

16. Did you anticipate the level of opposition to the Active Travel plans?

Our surveys in the past few years (including in 2023 and 2024) indicated that there is a minority of people opposed to the PC’s various proposals, including ideas for reducing traffic speeds and for active travel ideas. People are always entitled to their ideas, and the PC is always keen to hear them. However, it remains the case that a very significant majority of people in the parish support the active travel plans.
It is an unfortunate fact that social media can often take a rather negative tone. Feedback of all kinds is always welcome.

17. The donation page mentions £14,000 spent on research, where did this money come from? and what specifically was it used for?

The initial scoping and research phases of the project were funded from two sources, firstly a grant from Somerset County Council, and secondly from an appeal direct to the public.
Much of the money was used to contract specialist advisors; the parish council does not have the specialist knowledge and experience needed, of course.

18. Could the time and funds contributed by volunteers have been directed toward other pressing community needs?

Volunteers, almost by definition, direct their time towards activities that they consider useful and rewarding.
Many volunteers around the parish also contribute to many other important aspects of community life.
We are very grateful to them all.

19. Will there be lighting along the path for use during darker winter months?

We are considering the use of solar-powered low-level lighting along some sections of the path.

20. If someone has an accident, how would emergency services reach them along the path?

This is, of course, a matter for the professional paramedics.
No part of the current design of the path to Langport is more than 200 metres from a place where an ambulance could park, and most of it is considerably closer.

21. Are the project maintainers also responsible for upkeep of the adjacent field areas?

No; the adjacent fields remain the responsibility of the existing landowners. However, their needs are considered carefully in the design of the path. The need for, and design of, fences along the path is agreed with the landowners, according to their needs. This will include understanding whether the field is used for animals or for crops, and whether there is a need to keep the public out of the land next to the path.

22. Given that modern cars now include advanced safety features, is an off-road path still necessary?

Indeed it is! It sadly remains the case that one in five pedestrians hit by a car travelling at 30 mph is killed.
Further, a safe and traffic free path will encourage more people to travel on foot and other means rather than by car, thus providing more opportunity for exercise, fresh air and wellbeing.

23. There’s concern that landowners may not grant permission for access, what is the plan if they refuse permanently?

Permission from landowners for use of their land for active travel paths is, of course, an essential requirement for the construction and continued use of the paths.
We are very grateful to all the landowners that have taken the time to discuss with us, whether or not they have agreed to the use of their land.
We completely respect the fact that landowners do not have to agree to their land being used, and where this is the case, we have identified other routes that can be used.

24. The current route returns users to a dangerous bend in Langport, if children are expected to use it for commuting to school, how is their safety ensured when rejoining the main road?

The current section is just a small start; the rest of the path alongside the A378 remains as dangerous as ever. When the path is complete, the dangerous bend in Langport will be bypassed.