Chew Valley Lake to receive new cycle route

A new £1.5m scheme will build a new walking and cycling trail around Chew Valley Lake. 

The Chew Valley has international designation status and is also a Site of Special Scientific Interest. 

The path, which will be built on the northern section of the lake will enable the extension of the existing walking and cycling trail around the lake and will also create a safe and accessible route. 

The project was given the go-ahead earlier this year after £507,000 was awarded by the Rural Payments Agency and a further £1m investment was awarded from the West of England Combined Authority. 

The work being delivered includes:

• The construction of new 840m off-road shared-use path between Woodford Lodge and Walley Lane.
• The realignment of the road over the dam to widen the existing footway and provide a segregated cycle/pedestrian path.
• The construction of a shared-use path between the dam to the north and Hollowbrook Road including replacement of an existing narrow footbridge (total length 1.5km).

Cllr Manda Rigby, Bath & North East Somerset Council’s cabinet member for transport, said: ‘Bath and North East Somerset Council has been working to get more access for people to this wonderful green space for many years.

‘With the assistance of our partners at the West of England Combined Authority and Bristol Water we are pleased to be breaking ground on this crucial section which will finally deliver an accessible route suitable for everyone.”

Dan Norris, West of England Mayor, added: ‘I love walking around the Chew Valley Lake and taking in the stunning countryside around it. It has long been a favourite location for generations of people from across the West of England. Creating a new walking and cycling trail will help ensure its popularity continues to grow in the years ahead.

‘Many thousands of people will look forward to using this brand new route, which is being funded with the help of £1m from the West of England Combined Authority that I’m proud to lead.’

Photo Credit – Supplied