In a remarkable step for community cohesion and sustainable travel, a brand-new 1.8-km multi-user path has opened in Easton, finally linking the village with Westbury-sub-Mendip for the first time since the railway closure in September 1963.

The milestone was commemorated with a community walk from Lodge Hill in Westbury-sub-Mendip to Easton Village Hall, culminating in a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by key local dignitaries.

The collaborative project, helmed by Somerset Council in partnership with The Strawberry Line Society, Greenways & Cycleroutes, MP & KM Golding Ltd, local landowners, and volunteers, marks a significant achievement in connecting isolated communities and promoting active lifestyles. The new path has been thoughtfully designed, featuring an accommodation bridge, benches situated at points offering panoramic views of the Mendip Hills and Somerset Levels, and the planting of more than 5,000 hedges and tree saplings.

Among those in attendance at the launch event were Cllr Ros Wyke, Lead Member for Economic Development, Planning & Assets at Somerset Council, and representatives from Shepton Mallet Town Council. Cllr Wyke, a long-standing advocate for traffic-free paths, said, "This pathway is a symbol of reconnection, nearly six decades after the closure of the Beeching railway. It will also serve as a safe route for children to walk to school, and I couldn't be more delighted."

Shepton Mallet Town Council was also represented, reflecting the fact that the town has been an area of focus for similar developments. Mick Fletcher, Chair of The Strawberry Line Society, outlined an even grander vision: "Our ultimate goal is a continuous, traffic-free path from Shepton Mallet to Clevedon on the coast. This new section is a critical step toward making that vision a reality."

Shepton Mallet residents have good reason to be optimistic. Somerset Council and The Strawberry Line Society have recently opened other pathways in the East Somerset area, including routes at Shape Mendip, Dulcote, West Shepton Playing Fields to Pilton, and Shepton Mallet to Summer Hill. Further construction is already underway through Windsor Hill in Shepton Mallet, and more works will commence soon on the Strawberry Line extension.

This venture falls in line with Somerset Council's broader strategy to develop multi-user paths, with the aim of knitting together local communities, encouraging a reduction in car travel, and cutting carbon emissions. It is a clear indication that an interconnected and environmentally friendly future is firmly on the agenda for Shepton Mallet and neighbouring communities.