New coastal path to be built near stream trains in Somerset

The coastal town of Watchet and the neighbouring village of Williton have been handed a huge boost in potential tourism following a meeting on Monday, January 26, between Somerset Council and the team at Greenways and Cycleroutes charity, including founder John Grimshaw, the former chief engineer at Sustrans.

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Previous discussions took place over plans to deliver nearly a mile (1.5km) of walking and cycling links near the Station Fields Development site in the area, which will eventually deliver 350 new homes on the A39 Priest Street at the western edge of Williton, along with commercial space, leisure facilities and public open space.

Walking and cycling links, like this new coastal path, will make it easier for new residents to access local schools and other facilities.

Once completed, the Steam Coast Trail will provide a safe route for walking, cycling and wheeling between Minehead and Watchet via Blue Anchor, Washford and Williton - as well as giving people a great view of passing steam locomotives.

Steam Coast Trail is a non-profit organisation project that builds a 'breathtaking network' of multi-use paths around West Somerset.

A spokesperson for the organisation confirmed the news of the path being fully built in a recent statement: "We had a fantastic meeting with the council and the team at Greenways and Cycleroutes charity (including their founder John Grimshaw, the former chief engineer at Sustrans).

"Following this meeting, the Steam Coast Trail Trustees have unanimously decided to partner with Greenways to help us deliver the rest of the trail.

"With their track record of delivering vital community paths, we are feeling more confident than ever before that we can accelerate the project.

"The timing couldn’t be better. With the new developments between Williton and Watchet on the horizon - including the proposed cycle links around the Station Fields site - it is looking promising that the trail will start gaining serious momentum in the not-too-distant future."

A look at where a new steam coast trail is being worked on; allowing people to get a close-up look at passing steam locomotives. (Image: Daniel Mumby)

A new coastal path is to be built near passing steam trains in Somerset. (Image: Savills)

Upon agreeing to the development of this new coastal path in West Somerset, an appeal has been launched to help the organisation grow in order for this pathway to be officially built.

Steam Coast Trail are recruiting for a new treasurer as well as new members and volunteers. If you are interested in helping bring this project to the region, you can get involved by contacting the organisation via email: contact@steamcoasttrail.org.

Under these latest plans, two short new sections will be delivered in phases - one leading from the Station Fields site towards the Orchard Brooks development, and one further to the east.

Both sections of path will be four metres wide (allowing cyclists and mobility scooter users to pass safely in each direction) and will be constructed using similar, low-impact methods to the existing sections of the Steam Coast Trail.

Matt Tucker from Savills (representing the Wyndham Estate) said: "These works are required as part of the approved development and are linked to the delivery of the dwellings within the outline permission.

"Additional technical work has been undertaken to ensure the proposed construction of the Steam Coast Trail is deliverable and would not result in adverse environmental impacts."

In addition to these new sections of the long-distance path (which will cost around £500,000 to implement), the Station Fields development will also provide an improved crossing over the B3191 North Road at a cost of £200,000.