Welshmill Road to Whatcombe Fields
This was our Phase 1, connecting the riverside path at Welshmill with Whatcombe Fields, and it was opened in early 2015. We built this when the route along the river was being threatened by development. Volunteers approached the developers and both Gracewell and Renaissance Land donated a strip of land that enabled the link to go through.
What used to be a very narrow and muddy path was developed into a wide tarmacked path along the river that is heavily used, as it connects the centre of Frome with open spaces and residential areas.
How to find it
You can find the start of this section on Welshmill Road, where it crosses the river. It is across the road from the play area and on the other side of the river. The path goes between Rosetti House care home and the river.
The construction cost was financed by Mendip District Council’s Local Legacy Fund, Frome Town Council, Aster Housing, and other grant funding routed through Sustrans.
Whatcombe Fields to Spring Gardens
The next section of path (our Phase 3) is the section of path that runs through Whatcombe Fields, along the river and then beside Selwood Manor to the poplar woods near Spring Gardens. At this point, there is rocky path up the slope to the crossing over the rail line, and the path through Moko Woodland to Spring Gardens.
The path was extended to this point in August 2023, and is now about 90 per cent complete. We have added larger, more accessible gates on either side of the rail crossing to make it easier to reach by bike.
To finish this section, we need to find a solution for getting up the slope, and continuing alongside the rail line (which is our Phase 4).
This section was completed thanks to the co-operation of landowner, and funding from Mendip District Council, and donations from Aggregate Industries and Connor Construction.
How to find it
This path can be accessed at the entrance to Whatcombe Fields off Weylands Road. Unfortunately, there is a barrier at this entrance to stop motorcycles from entering the fields (and cows from leaving them), which make it difficult for non-standard bikes to access this section. We would welcome suggestions for changing it that meet the requirements of the landowners.
What happens next
We are looking at ways to extend the path up the slope, and considering how we might connect the end of the path with Spring Gardens, to make a seamless and accessible route for all.