Cycle route closure due to ash dieback felling

Some parts of the Strawberry Line near the eastern edge of Wells will be closed

A key section of a popular walking and cycling route has been temporarily closed to allow for diseased trees to be removed.

The Strawberry Line runs between Yatton railway station and Station Road in Cheddar, Somerset, and is mostly car-free.

The Strawberry Line Association announced that parts of the route from Wells to Dulcote Quarry will be closed between 09:00 to 16:00 BST on weekdays until 11 September.

A spokesman said: “Due to ash dieback on neighbouring land, two short sections of the Strawberry Line, outside Wells will be closed. Where practical a diversion will be in place."

He added: “A contractor is required to undertake emergency tree felling works in Wells alongside the Strawberry Line, necessitating the temporary closure due to the proximity of the felling to our path."

New trees will then also be planted in their place.

During the first phase of the tree felling, pedestrians and cyclists will be diverted along footpaths to the south of the A371, near the city’s Screwfix outlet and north of the River Sheppey.

Eventually the Strawberry Line will run uninterrupted all the way from Clevedon to Shepton Mallet.

An additional section of the Strawberry Line will be delivered in the coming months along West Street as part of the new Lidl supermarket which is currently under construction.