Connecting communities in The Mendip Hills

When the volunteers at The Strawberry Line Society issued a public appeal for support to carry out enhancements, our Batts Combe quarry in Cheddar was happy to help this much-loved traffic-free path which extends from the Mendips to the sea. 

Alongside Holcim’s Callow Rock quarry in Shipham and other local partners we donated over 1,000 tonnes of mixed aggregates to provide a firm base and final top surface for a new section of the pathway near Cheddar, as well as to help build bridge ramps to improve accessibility.

The Strawberry Line is an ambitious project that follows the route of the former Cheddar Valley Railway line, and aims to encourage sustainable, active travel. The car-free route links communities close to the Mendip Hills and is used by extensively by cyclists, runners, equestrians, mobility users and walkers. The section currently being worked on passes near Kings of Wessex Academy in Cheddar, so the work will also provide students with a safer, more sustainable travel option to get to school.

Johnnie Latimer, Trustee of The Strawberry Line Society, said: “Support from local partners has been essential in moving this project forward. Their material donations have helped us turn the idea into a reality, and – fingers crossed - the new section of the path is set to open this autumn.”

“We were very happy to support such an important local project,” added Simon Parkes, Unit Manager at Batts Combe quarry. “The Strawberry Line is a major attraction to the area and the new connecting pathways will make it much safer and provide easier access.”