A long running campaign to keep a stretch of path alongside the River Frome open to walkers has stepped up a notch, with developers putting in a planning application which could see it closed.

Back in 2018 a file was put in to have the stretch of pathway, the Wallbridge Adderwell route, registered as a public footpath and been formally made a right of way.

But the developer of houses on land at The Retreat in Frome are challenging that application and have now formally applied for the building work to begin.

The social media page for those campaigning against the closure states: " We really need comments from the Frome community as to how they have used the pathway and why it is important for our town for the pathway to remain open.

"The riverside path is not directly affected by this development, and it's not necessary to close the path for the development to proceed if it secures planning permission. "

Over seven hundred people have already signed to protect the pathway, which is now referenced in a recent planning application for four new homes, which Nub News reported here on April 22.

Frome Nub News

With the planning application now active, there is even more pressure to prevent the path being shut off to walkers and ramblers.

The Save the River social group want to get as many residents as possible telling the campaign how they use the path. You can add your voice here:

the Facebook group.

The survey already has many replies from runners and walkers and also from a handful of swimmers who have also used it to get into the river itself.

You can find out more about the years of campaigning here:

the SWAP group