A STUNNING car-free route linking Somerset’s coastal communities could be completed in the coming years as part of a wider transport plan.
The Steam Coast Trail is sandwiched between the West Somerset Railway line and the west Somerset coast, and is eventually intended to link Minehead to Williton.
Two off-road sections of the route have been delivered to date, providing connections with the West Somerset Coast Path towards Minehead and the Mineral Line towards Watchet.
Somerset Council has now made a public, in-principle commitment to completing the route as part of local transport plan, which was published earlier this month.
The first phase of the trail, which opened in December 2016, runs from Dunster Beach car park almost all the way to Blue Anchor seafront, not far from the recently completed coastal defence scheme near the Anchor’s Drop site.
Phase two of the trail, which opened in October 2018, runs from Dragon’s Cross in Old Cleeve to the Cobbler’s Steps in Washford, running to the north of the West Somerset Railway station.
A further short section, comprising around one mile, is expected to be delivered as part of a development of 350 homes on the A39 Priest Street, which secured outline planning permission from Somerset West and Taunton Council in October 2021.
Under the proposals, a new section will be provided between the B3191 Five Bells to Doniford Road, providing a direct link to the Orchard Brooks housing estate.
Around £500,000 has been set aside for this extension, with a further £200,000 being provided for a new toucan crossing on the B3191.
Lovell Homes put forward revised plans for the development in July 2024, which committed to the delivery of this section once permission was granted.
Somerset Council’s local transport plan includes a lengthy commitment to improving walking and cycling links in Somerset’s coastal areas to “meet the needs of locals and visitors”.
A spokesman said: “There are high levels of walking and cycling to access work, services and leisure – Minehead has the highest levels of active travel in Somerset.
“Active travel journeys are hugely important, providing not only access to education, employment and services, but also providing independence for those who don’t have access to a car or those with limited mobility.
“We recognise more people want to undertake active travel but do not feel safe. We will work collaboratively across the council to ensure we build infrastructure and deliver better information to improve safety.”
The local transport plan does not commit any financial resources to delivering specific sections of the Steam Coast Trail, but it does acknowledge the various different means by which new routes can be funded.
Harry Singer, chairman of the Friends of the Steam Coast Trail, has welcomed the council’s in-principle commitment. He said: “It’s great to see active travel being such a key focus in the local transport plans.
“We really hope this ambition translates into action, with a real sense of urgency to get high-quality cycling infrastructure in place as soon as possible – our environment needs it now more than ever.”