The cycle and walking path between Frome and Radstock has just become a whole lot longer thanks to a big push to extend the route.

Halted for years, in part because of the pandemic, and also as the team got together funding, the path has now been extended to almost the edge of Spring Gardens.

In 2022 the path got £30,000 from Mendip council, via its Communities Fund, which will have gone a way to funding this latest stretch, along with grant money from Frome Town Council back in 2021, and has had money from Sustrans and directly via donations.

The new extension of Frome Missing Links cycle way at the bottom of Whatcombe Fields has now been asphalted too, (August 21) so unlike when Frome Nub News walked the extra mile or so, it is now smooth so better for all kinds of walkers.

As one reader commented : Great news for people with reduced mobility, or white trainers !

The stretch is the latest to be completed to make up what is shown on the map below - a traffic free route all the way to Radstock.

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 but has again renewed its appeal for more funding to make that final missing link.