The cycle path between Axbridge and Cheddar needs major investment

The Axbridge-Cheddar Cycle Walkway Appeal

As part of The Strawberry Line, the Axbridge-Cheddar Cycle Walkway (ACCW) came into being over thirty years ago through voluntary efforts after a serious road accident to a schoolboy cycling into Cheddar. Although its land is leased from Sedgemoor District Council (SDC), neither SDC nor Somerset County Council (SCC) contribute to its maintenance. 

Fiveways Bridge in Cheddar

Most of the ACCW is in reasonable condition thanks to volunteer work parties, but a narrow section alongside Bristol Water’s depot from Fiveways Bridge to Valley Line Industrial Park gets very muddy and flooded.  It becomes useless as a Safe Route to School or a reasonable walkway and it’s beyond DIY repair..

Estimates run up to £12,000 for professional scraping back of the surface, recreating crossfall drainage, and resurfacing with compacted stone dust. 

Vegetation and ground within Bristol Water’s depot would also need to be cleared.

We can fund some of this but we need a widely shared fundraising effort for at least half of it. Everyone from individuals to businesses to local authorities should feel able to contribute. We are also exploring grant support from appropriate charities. The aim is to raise funds over the summer, do the work in the autumn, and get the line in top condition before winter weather wrecks it again.

For individual donations our Just Giving page online is easiest: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/axchedsafe

For business and other donations please contact treasurer Malcolm Conyers m.conyers@btinternet.com  or chairman David Parkin davidhparkin@gmail.com