The Campaign for a safe footpath and
cycleway between Cross and Axbridge
Support safe walking and cycling
between Cross and Axbridge.
Axbridge Town Council is currently conducting a questionnaire on the pedestrian route between Cross and Axbridge. We would like to encourage all Axbridge residents to complete it. Please see link beow to complete.
Axbridge Town Council Facebook Page
Or click on the link below to go directly to the questionnaire.
Some reasons for upgrading the path between Cross and Axbridge are:
1. SAFETY. The existing path is not safe for users as has been illustrated by recent events with pedestrians experiencing injuries for cattle. I also have seen pedestrians and inexperienced cyclists using the road and this is highly dangerous. We need a safe and easy to use path between Axbridge and Cross.
2. ACTIVE TRAVEL. We need to be encouraging more people to walk or cycle or use other forms of active travel rather than using their cars. This is fundamental to progressing our goals for a sustainable carbon neutral environment. Hence, we need to ensure that there is a good easily accessible path between our two communities that can be used instead of people needing to rely on cars to get from one side to the other.
3. EQUAILTY AND INCLUSION. People with mobility difficulties, wheelchair users, parents with pushchairs and a large proportion of cyclists, are not able to easily travel between Axbridge and Cross. I know that some people say that there is already a path via going up to the Strawberry Lane to halfway up the Shute Shelf Road and come back down again. However, this route involved more than twice the distance and a considerable climb. Hence, it excludes many people from being able to get from Axbridge to Cross and vice versa without a vehicle.
4. LOCAL ECONOMY AND TOURISM. As a result of the difficulties that people face from getting between Axbridge and Cross, it is highly likely that local facilities are not used as much as they could be. People from Cross need to have easy access to the post office, chemist, surgery, co-op, hairdressers, churches, pubs, etc, that are available in Axbridge. People from Axbridge need to be having access to the pubs and the countryside available via Cross. Often people will instead drive in their car to Weston or Cheddar or other towns and communities rather than shopping and using local facilities. Hence, an enhanced path would encourage more people to use local facilities and spend their money locally. Moreover, an increase network of accessible paths would encourage more tourists to linger longer in the area and spend their money locally.
5. SOCIAL CONNECTIVITY. Having connected neighbourhoods is a crucial component for addressing loneliness, isolation, and social exclusion. This path could be an important component for building links between our communities and encourage people to connect with each other.
Information Leaflet (Please see below)
Annual Report (Please see below)
Why we need a safe footpath
Latest News
Success - the footpath at the lower end of Cross Lane is now complete. Where there was only an uneven grass verge along side a ditch there is now a surfaced path up to the gate into the footpath across the fields to Axbridge.
Somerset County Councilor, Bob Filmer cut the ribbon to mark the opening of the new path and said “I am pleased to be able to join local campaigners who have worked so hard to gather support for the safe crossing on the A38 and path and have seen this phase delivered through a County Council Small Improvement Scheme. I congratulate them on their success. The County Council is working to increase walking and cycling routes where possible” Speaking as heavy lorries thundered past he added “Cross Lane is recognized as dangerous for pedestrians and cyclists and we will continue to work for a safe alternative route.”
Tess Gill, our campaign Chair, said “we are delighted to see this important step in achieving our aim of a safe off road route for pedestrians and cyclists from Cross to Axbridge. I would like to thank all those who have helped us in our campaign to bring our communities closer together and allow all to enjoy the beautiful Somerset countryside. We would not have succeeded without their support including our Councilor Bob Filmer and Michael Clements who dedicated the land he owned at the junction of the A38/Cross Lane to the Parish Council so there could be a pathway around the junction.
As heavy traffic with many lorries on the A38 /Cross Lane junction and Cross Lane is increasing all the time due to construction of Hinckley C and also house building in Cheddar Valley, Axbridge, and Cheddar, an off the road safe route all the way from the A38 junction to Axbridge is essential for pedestrians and cyclists.”
The Problem
This section of the A371 between Axbridge and Cross (known as Cross Lane) is part of a major transport route connecting the A38 to Cheddar and Wells, especially for very large HGV vehicles including those carrying limestone products from the quarries in Cheddar and Shipham. There is only a partial footpath and no cycleway. We are campaigning to create these and make a safe route connecting our communities.
The Dangers
Although there are public footpaths in Cross and Axbridge, the path connecting the two communities is incomplete: it runs from the top of High St in Axbridge, along the inside of the hedge beside the A371, only to emerge about two-thirds of the way down, leaving pedestrians no option but to walk alongside heavy traffic on a narrow refuge cluttered by road signs and often obscured by long grass and the overgrown hedge. The unfortunate pedestrian then has to negotiate the busy A38, at a dangerous crossroads, in order to continue on into the village of Cross.
James Heappey MP
Who We Are
We are a group of local people campaigning for a safe footpath and cycleway between Axbridge and Cross.
Although there are public footpaths in Cross and Axbridge, the path connecting the two communities is incomplete: it runs from the top of High St in Axbridge, along the inside of the hedge beside the A371, only to emerge about two-thirds of the way down, leaving pedestrians no option but to walk alongside heavy traffic on a narrow refuge cluttered by road signs and often obscured by long grass and the overgrown hedge. The unfortunate pedestrian then has to negotiate the busy A38, at a dangerous crossroads, in order to continue on into the village of Cross.
The old footpath was known locally as the coffin path because the deceased inmates of the workhouse in Axbridge used to be carried along it when being returned to their parish - Compton Bishop, Rooksbridge, Tarnock etc - for burial.
Please like us on facebook and friend us too! www.facebook.com/coffinlanecampaign
Email us at Cross2AxbridgeConnect@outlook.com and let us know what you think. We are always keen to hear any ideas, suggestions or comments you may have.
Or follow us on Twitter: @TessGill154
Strawberry Line Extension. Sign the petition here:
http://www.thestrawberryline.org.uk/index.php?section=campaign&sub=petition
Links
www.thestrawberryline.org.uk www.themendipsociety.org.uk www.sustrans.org.uk www.mendipramblers.co.uk
