A key section of a new traffic-free route linking Frome to Radstock is set to progress after the local campaign group, Frome’s Missing Links, successfully reached its £20,000 fundraising target.
The project aims to establish a continuous multi-user path connecting Frome to the Colliers Way in Great Elm, creating a link to Radstock and beyond.
By raising £20,000 from the local community, the group unlocked additional funding from Sustrans, Somerset Council, Sport England, and an anonymous donor. Together, the funds will cover the cost of tarmacking a 1.3km stretch of path known as ‘Phase 2’ of the ‘missing link’. This section runs between Elliots Lane in Hapsford and the Colliers Way, which itself is a traffic-free route connecting Radstock to Sustrans’ Route 24 to Bath.
“We are now ready to appoint a contractor for this work,” said Richard Ackroyd, chair of Frome’s Missing Links. “Thank you so much to everyone who contributed and made this possible.
“We’ve received so many lovely messages of support during the campaign. It’s clear that people value these paths for connecting with nature and staying active.”
Significant volunteer effort has gone into preparing this section of the path for surfacing. Volunteers have removed old railway sleepers, cleared overgrown scrub, and installed fencing where needed.
Once work on the surfacing begins, additional volunteers will be needed to monitor entrances to the work site.
The project is being completed in several phases. Phase one, which opened in 2015, is a 950-metre section that provides a pleasant off-road path from the Whatcombe area to the college and town centre. Phase two, the current phase, is soon to be completed using Crowdfunder donations. Phase three, a section in Whatcombe Fields, is nearing completion, while phase four will connect Whatcombe Fields with Elliots Lane.
People interested in volunteering can email mail@fromesmissinglinks.org.uk for more information. Contributions to the Crowdfunder are still welcome, with any surplus funds allocated to the next stage of the project.
Learn more or donate at www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/surfacing-phase-2.
Pictured; FML Volunteers in August 2024
