£1.5 million plans to transform a key West Somerset cycle route have been dropped due to “logistical challenges”.

Somerset Council had been aiming to upgrade an existing path alongside the A39 between Dunster and Carhampton, using a government grant given two-and-a-half years ago, the West Somerset Free Press reports. 

The scheme would have tackled a narrow, poorly maintained section of the shared-use path, which forces cyclists to take their chances on the A39 or take a long diversion using the Steam Coast Trail. 

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The council has now said that the project proved too complex to deliver within the funding deadline. The £1.5m has been redistributed to other walking and cycling schemes across Somerset, with the agreement of Active Travel England. 

Cyclist in Somerset (image by Sam Saunders, licensed by CC BY-SA 2.0 DEED on Flickr)
Cyclist in Somerset (image by Sam Saunders, licensed by CC BY-SA 2 (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)

The now-cancelled plans were intended to link up with two previously completed sections between the Ellicombe roundabout, Minehead, and Marsh Lane, Dunster, and a short stretch from Marsh Lane to Dunster Steep.

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A spokesperson said: “The £1.5 million funding allocation, with the agreement of Active Travel England, was reallocated to a number of other schemes due to the logistical challenges of the original proposal and the need to utilise funding within the time-frame.

“A number of other schemes have benefited in the county.

“The team is continuing to look at provision between Dunster and Carhampton and how this can be improved.”