The first phase of a new car-free route across the Somerset Levels has been given the green light following the purchase of a key plot of land.

The Curry Rivel Active Travel Group has been working for a number of years to create a new route between Curry Rivel and Langport, taking pedestrians and cyclists away from fast-moving traffic on the A378.

The group has been working with the parish council, local landowners and other neighbouring parishes to secure access to the route, which will form part of a wider planned active travel network stretching across the Somerset Levels and Moors.

The parish council approved the purchase of a key strip of land along the main road shortly before Christmas 2024, with steps being taken to appoint a local contractor for the project.

Following a successful bid to the government's rural England prosperity fund, work will begin on delivering this first phase of the new route in a matter of weeks, meaning that (weather permitting) it will be open to the public by the end of February.

Volunteers and a local civil engineering firm cleared the section between North Street and Park Lane in the spring of 2024, with the new path being delivered on the northern side of the busy road which connects Langport and Curry Rivel to Taunton via the A358.

Tony Greenaway, a former parish councillor who has been closely involved in the project, confirmed that construction would begin shortly on both the village's official website and the active travel group's official Facebook page.

He said: "Three years in the making, Curry Rivel Parish Council has purchased a section of land between the top of North Street and Sandpits Hill, alongside the A378.

"Funding has come from a grant from the rural England prosperity fund and monies raised by the community.

"A contractor has been appointed and work is hoped to be completed by the end of February."

Using similar methods to those practised on the Strawberry Line or as part of the Glastonbury town deal, the new path will be laid using locally sourced materials at a fraction of the cost of an on-road Tarmac cycle lane or widened kerb (such as along the A39 in Minehead).

This short stretch of just over 200 metres forms part of a larger aspirational route which will link the two ends of Curry Rivel together as well as providing an onward route to Langport via Park Lane, Frog Lane and Huish Drove, linking up with the Westover Trading Estate and the River Parrett Trail along Cocklemoor.

The South Somerset Bridleways Association has been attempting to secure the section on Park Lane and Frog Lane as a registered bridleway (which could be used by pedestrians and cyclists) since 2010.

An order to add this route to Somerset Council's definitive rights of way map was made in 2023 following a public inquiry – but the matter has now been taken to appeal, with local MP Sarah Dyke seeking to speed up a decision by the Planning Inspectorate.

Negotiations are currently ongoing with local landowners regarding both these Langport connections and the wider route, which could eventually run as far west as Heale Lane via the local primary school.

Much like certain sections of the Strawberry Line active travel route, the new route between Curry Rivel and Langport would be a permissive multi-user path, where each landowner allows access to walkers, cyclists and other users without the parish council or Somerset Council having to acquire the land on which the new path will be constructed.

Mr Greenaway said: "In addition to the route planning, we are in discussions with Somerset Council about securing funding for pedestrian-related enhancements within Curry Rivel.

"While these discussions are ongoing, they represent a crucial step toward creating a more pedestrian-friendly environment in the area."

The Curry Rivel to Langport route forms part of a wider plan to deliver new walking and cycling routes across the Somerset Levels, eventually providing a car-free link between Bridgwater and South Petherton.

This ambition is being spearheaded by the Levels and Moors local community network (LCN), which represents a population of more than 68,000 people across more than 30 rural parishes.

Mr Greenaway said: "We are pleased to report that discussions between Curry Rivel, Drayton, Langport and Huish Episcopi councils have been fruitful.

"We are exploring suitable routes connecting Curry Rivel with key local destinations such as the school, the leisure centre, and local shops and businesses.

"This collaboration highlights the commitment of local councils to support infrastructure improvements that benefit the entire community.

"Together, we can create a safer, more connected community for everyone."

Further fundraising will be needed to deliver further sections of the Curry Rivel route, with the group also seeking volunteers who can help with work on the ground or promoting the project on social media.