A project to transform Shepton Mallet's old Somerset and Dorset railway track into a new multi-user path has landed a place on the shortlist for the National Railway Heritage Awards, bringing local volunteers' efforts into the national spotlight.

This ambitious restoration—made possible by a collaboration between dedicated community members and the cycling and walking charity Greenways and Cycleroutes—has opened up the historic route over Ham Wood viaduct and through Windsor Hill tunnel, creating a scenic path that's rich in local history.

The awards, which celebrate the best in reusing and restoring historic railway infrastructure, singled out the Shepton Mallet project for its "exemplary standard" of work, calling it a "great enhancement to the local area." Local volunteers have poured countless hours into clearing the former track bed, repairing the viaduct, and making the tunnel accessible, transforming the forgotten route into a vibrant community asset. Judges also praised the team's efforts in excavating old tramways once used to transport stone from Windsor Hill quarries to build the railway, revealing a lesser-known piece of Shepton Mallet's railway history.

The project is part of a larger vision called the Somerset Circle, which aims to create a 76-mile mostly traffic-free route connecting Bristol, Bath, the Mendip Hills, the Somerset Levels, and the coast. Just last month, the initiative took a leap forward with the installation of a bridge over the B3136, providing a vital link between West Shepton Playing Fields and the town centre, making it easier for residents and visitors alike to access the new pathway.

Greenways and Cycleroutes, which has been working with local groups to establish multi-user paths across the UK since 2016, hopes that the success in Shepton Mallet will become a model for other towns looking to revive old railway lines.

Their work in Shepton Mallet began in earnest last year, with the opening of a route under the Cannards Grave Road bridge, and is set to continue with the reopening of Stump Cross bridge under Ridge Lane—bringing the popular Strawberry Line project a step closer to linking Shepton Mallet and Wells.

The National Railway Heritage Awards ceremony is set for Wednesday, 4 December in London, where the Shepton Mallet project will compete for one of the top honours in railway heritage. For the volunteers and supporters, it's a proud moment and a testament to the power of community action.