TWO more sections of the Strawberry Line have been completed and opened to the public.

The Strawberry Line is a traffic-free greenway through the county to link the Mendips to the sea and is designed to create more connections between communities without the use of a car.

The Dulcote extension, a 800m stretch from Dulcote Quarry to Churchill Batch Lane, and the west Shepton link, a 1.3km stretch from Hitchin Lane to Ridge Road are the latest additions to the path which were officially opened last Friday (November 8) following a ribbon cutting ceremony.

The west Shepton link includes a 15ft-long bridge which was craned into place last month to allows users to safely cross the B3136.

Somerset Council said this is another step towards eventually connecting Ridge Road to Collett Park in the town centre.

READ MORE: Bridge as long as a bus craned into Shepton Mallet for Somerset’s Strawberry Line
READ MORE: Shepton Mallet’s Collett Park to undergo £700,000 upgrade
READ MORE: ‘Missing link’ on Weston to Clevedon Pier to Pier cycle route completed

The Strawberry Line is a pioneering multi-partnership project between, charities, volunteers, contractors, community groups, councils, Historic Railways Estate and private landowners.

The converted railway line now provides a link for walkers, cyclists and horse riders through the Somerset country.

The ribbon cutting ceremony took place last week Picture: Somerset Council

Councillor Richard Wilkins, lead member for transport and waste, said: “The grand opening event really showcases the importance of the local community and volunteers.

“Thank you, your efforts have transformed the disused railway into a vibrant pathway for everyone to use.

“This triumph gives more people the opportunity to leave their cars at home and get into active travel – which is great for health, wellbeing and the environment.”

The project has been supported by Somerset Council and its predecessor Mendip Council who have provided guidance and investment where possible.

Construction was supervised by volunteer led charitable organisation Greenways and Cycle routes and work carried out by local contractors MP and KM Golding.

Somerset Council says the project encourages people out of cars, reducing congestion and pollution, while promoting active travel and a healthy lifestyle.

“The Strawberry Line volunteers together with volunteers from the neighbouring Friends of Windsor Hill Tunnels project have provided key support and helped with clearance and construction on the project through regular weekly volunteer sessions and at Greenways workcamps,” a Somerset Council spokespersom said.

“This has included supporting with all aspects of the path, from land access negotiations, vegetation clearing and preparatory works ahead of construction, to vegetation planting, creating local walking routes, managing the local ecology and maintaining the path itself.”

Work is also progressing on further sections of the Strawberry Line and Somerset Circle that will allow the traffic free network continue to grow in coming years.

More information about the Strawberry Line can be found on their website.