09/09/2021
REJOICE! CONSTRUCTION STARTS ON DULCOTE QUARRY LINK
For the first time in 15 years, a new section of Strawberry Line is being built in the County of Somerset. The Dulcote Quarry Link will join the end of the existing Wells to Dulcote path with Dulcote Quarry, now the site of Charlie Bigham's Quarry Kitchen, one of Mendip’s largest employers. This 560-metre shared use path will utilise six acres of disused County-owned land to create a showstopping off-road route through woodland and open countryside, and in addition provide a safe route for Bigham's employees in Wells to walk or cycle to work.
Conceived by the Strawberry Line East group, and engineered by charitable company Greenways & Cycleroutes Ltd., the path will be open to walkers, cyclists, wheelchair users and horse riders. It has been funded by Mendip District Council with a contribution from Charlie Bigham's and with the agreement of Somerset County Council to use their land. The surrounding area will be managed in a wildlife-friendly way by volunteers, with the aim of creating a range of habitats which will maximise biodiversity. Strawberry Line volunteers have already demonstrated their capability and commitment by maintaining and enhancing the existing stretch of the path from Wells for the last six years.
This is a momentous cause for celebration, taking the Strawberry Line one step closer to joining up Wells and Shepton Mallet and forming another link in the Somerset Circle. The project has the full backing of Mendip District Council and Somerset County Council, both of whom played a crucial part in bringing the proposal to fruition.
