Frome’s Missing Links started in 2010 to campaign for better and safer walking and cycling routes in Frome and better connections to neighbouring towns and villages. The goal was to develop traffic-free routes with gentle gradients suitable for all ages and abilities.

In particular, the campaign wanted to see the Colliers Way route – a traffic free trail following an old rail route in the area – connected to the centre of Frome.  This multi-user path, Sustrans’ route 24, currently ends at Great Elm, leaving people to continue the final 2.5 miles into Frome on the roads, many of them with steep gradients unsuitable for children.

To the south of Frome, Sustrans’ Route 24 continues towards Longleat, taking a route that involves some busy roads and another steep hill.

Frome’s Missing Links would like to see more family-friendly routes in both directions, and is doing this by campaigning, commenting on planning applications, and raising funds to build these routes.

Welshmill to Weylands – Phase 1

Frome’s Missing Links started by extending the path from the centre of Frome out towards Great Elm. It starts on Welshmill Lane, and leads between the Rosetti House care home and the river, away from the centre of town. This path leads to Weylands, through some public open ground and past a small orchard, near Low Water.Beyond Weylands, the route leads into Whatcombe Fields, close to the river.

Volunteers spent many days clearing scrub, erecting fences and preparing the ground. Grants from Mendip District Council, Frome Town Council and Aster Housing helped to back up financial support from Sustrans and the section from Welshmill to Weylands, Phase 1, was completed in January 2015 and the opening was celebrated with a procession of bicycles and scooters, illuminated by hundreds of lights and reflectors.

Great Elm to Hapsford – Phase 2

Phase 2 is from Great Elm back towards Frome. This section ends at Elliots Lane, Hapsford and is 1.3km long.

Following an agreement with National Rail in 2021, we began by clearing the scrub and fencing the path off from the rail line (with help from a grant from Mendip District Council in 2022 for the fencing supplies). Working with landowners in the area, we achieved a walkable route, and in 2024, we started a fundraising campaign on Crowdfunder to raise the funds to put a lasting tarmac surface on it.

The Crowdfunder donations were matched by a generous private donor, funding from Sustrans and Somerset Council, and a donation from Sport England, enabling us to bring the total to over £100,000 and the work was completed in March 2025. The opening, on 26th April 2025, brought together the Mayor’s of Radstock and Frome to celebrate a stronger link between the two towns.

Whatcombe Fields – Phase 3

Phase 3 covers the stretch from Weylands to Spring Gardens. Thanks to much volunteer effort and funds from Mendip Disctrict Council, the path was extended from midway through the fields up to the poplar wood near Selwood Manor in August and September 2023. We were greatly helped in this project by donations of goods, machinery and labour from Aggregate Industries and Mrs Yeoman.

Hedge-planting by Duke of Edinburgh students from Frome College has created a wildlife-friendly border to the fields used for agriculture, with further tree planting programmes supported by Frome Town Council, and lots of volunteer help.

We are delighted that this makes the area accessible for many more people, and takes us almost all the way to Spring Gardens. The final section of Phase 3 – up the slope to the railway line – provides some technical challenges, as well as a financial challenge.

Spring Gardens to Hapsford – Phase 4

This is the final connection in the route – linking the end of the current path near Selwood Manor to Elliots Lane. This will be a tricky and expensive section to complete and we are always on the look out for funding sources that might help. We have a detailed feasibility study, identifying the best route through this section, so that we can be ready to go, if funding becomes available.

The route south

There are plans to extend the route south from Frome, towards East Woodlands and Longleat, with a more family-friendly path. The start of this route will be in Edmund Park, where a path extends beyond the estate. To complete a route, this path will through a ‘cow hole’ tunnel under the rail line and the road, before linking up with Feltham Lane. Ultimately, this should avoid the need to cross the bypass.

How we are organised

In June 2016, Frome’s Missing Links was set up as an independent charitable organisation, having been part of Sustainable Frome and working with Sustrans. As a result, we can now take donations, apply for funding and claim gift aid.

• The constitution is available – please click here. You will see the trustees cannot receive any payment, even expenses.
• The minutes from our latest AGM are here.
• You can see who our trustees are.
• You can also view our latest accounts via the Charities Commission website here, or you can contact the secretary via mail@fromesmissinglinks.org.uk.
• We have a GDPR policy, which is available here.

Many local businesses have also been very generous in donating their skills and services, or the materials we need to build and look after the path.