A NEW cycling and walking route featuring eco-friendly lighting has been opened in Bridgwater.

Eastover Primary School pupils were the first to cycle the route this week, the next phase in the town’s off-road A38 Active Travel Corridor.

The 1km path runs alongside the River Parrett from Express Park to the Saltlands Bridge.

The safe route for cyclists and pedestrians, jointly funded by the Government’s Levelling Up Fund and Hinkley Point C, and delivered by contractor Milestone, will eventually stretch from the Gravity site at Puriton to Bridgwater town centre.

It follows the route of The England Coast Path National Trail, a walking route which will eventually be available around the whole of the English coast.

The new pathway will form a significant addition to an extensive existing network in and around the town.

Following recent delivery of the toucan crossings of A38 Bristol Road and associated link to Ascot Drive, the path is an essential component of linking the town centre to the area of north east Bridgwater.

Other work is already underway to link Express Park to Dunball, and plans are continuing to be developed on the next stretch of the A38 Active Travel Corridor between Saltlands Bridge and the town centre through Bridgwater Docks and Northgate Yard.

Cllr Mike Rigby, Somerset County Council’s executive lead member for transport and digital, led the opening ceremony attended by partners and community leaders including Bridgwater’s Mayor Cllr Liz Leavy.

He said: “This is a fine piece of work by our contractor Milestone delivered on time and budget and it’s an excellent addition to Bridgwater’s growing cycling and walking network.

“We are committed to investing in active travel infrastructure across Somerset to make it easier for people to cycle or walk instead of using the car."

Andrew Cockcroft, senior community relations manager at Hinkley Point C, said: “We’re pleased to fund a scheme which pushes forward the move to net-zero. The new path will connect communities across Bridgwater, in a way that benefits both the environment and people’s health." - and is one of many ways we’re ensuring local people benefit from Hinkley Point C.”

Pictures: Somerset County Council