Hopes of closing key gaps on the Strawberry Line towards Shepton Mallet have suffered a major setback after Somerset Council admitted there will be "almost no money" over the next four years for new rural walking and cycling routes.

The warning came as councillors approved the authority's local transport plan, which sets out how active travel money will be spent up to 2030.

While nearly £16m has been committed overall, only just under £1.6m has been earmarked for rural schemes across Somerset — a fraction of the money being directed into urban projects.

For Shepton Mallet, that raises fresh doubts over how quickly the Strawberry Line can be pushed forward.

Campaigners have long argued the route is vital for linking communities and creating safer, greener ways to travel, but they now fear the gaps between Clevedon and Shepton Mallet could remain unresolved.

The Strawberry Line group said the funding picture meant it would not be able to add further sections of the route, leaving communities isolated.

In a strongly worded response, the group said: "Without funding we won't be able to add further sections to the line between Clevedon and Shepton Mallet, leaving the current gaps unresolved and communities isolated."

It added: "This news is more than disappointing, it's a kick in the face for all the hard work over the last few years to grow the path, and all the benefits it brings."

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That frustration will be felt keenly in Shepton, where recent progress on active travel routes has depended heavily on old Mendip funding and other outside support.

Money set aside before Mendip District Council was abolished helped deliver the extension to the Windsor Hill Greenway north of Shepton Mallet, but councillors have now warned there is very little left to drive similar rural schemes forward.

Liberal Democrat councillor Ros Wyke said there was "very, very limited availability" to use active travel money in rural areas and warned that "going forward, there is almost no money available to do any real active travel in rural areas".

For Shepton Mallet, that leaves the future of Strawberry Line expansion looking increasingly uncertain unless new grants or developer contributions can be found.

Supporters say the route is about far more than leisure, pointing to its role in connecting communities, improving health and wellbeing and making it easier for people to reach local amenities without always relying on the car.

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Includes reporting from Daniel Mumby/LDRS