Radstock and Midsomer Norton are joining the long list of UK towns creating a better network of routes for pedestrians and cyclists by joining forces with sustainable transport charity - Sustrans - to create a traffic-free link connecting the two towns. This is part of a UK wide initiative funded by the Big Lottery Fund to improve local networks so more everyday local journeys can be made by foot or by bike.

The route - entitled the 'Five Arches' scheme - will link the popular Norton-Radstock greenway, which skirts the northern part of the town, to Midsomer Norton town centre and will provide crucial links to overcome the hilly terrain that poses a barrier to walking and cycling. This scheme aims to complete a route along the high level disused railway that used to connect the two towns. Links from the railway path will connect communities to work, leisure and school facilities - including the new skate park at Gullock Tyning nearby. The project will also provide crossings of the busy Somervale Road and Charlton Road outside Norton Hill School. The route will be a particular help to Norton Hill pupils, who will be able to walk and cycle to school away from the busy local roads.

Rupert Crosbee, North Somerset Area Manager for Sustrans said, "The 'Five Arches' is a great scheme that will not only be a beautiful route through this landscape but will be an easy and convenient way for local people to make everyday journeys on foot or by bike. The Council and community are really enthusiastic about making it happen and as the paperwork is done we can get on with making this route a reality."

Sustrans and Bath and North East Somerset Council have just signed a Memorandum of Understanding - an agreement which secures the £250,000 lottery money from Sustrans for this £630,000 project. This will then be match-funded with over £300,000 from Cycling England Links to School programme with £69,000 from Bath & North East Somerset Council and further funding from Norton Radstock Town Council. This paperwork cements the commitment to the project with a view to site clearance and ecological mitigation starting straight away and construction following in the summer.

Councillor Charles Gerrish, Bath & North East Somerset Council Cabinet Member for Customer Services, said, "This will be a step forward for improving transport and public spaces in the Midsomer Norton and Radstock area. Making walking and cycling a more attractive option is crucial to encouraging more people out of private cars and using more sustainable methods of transport. This is why the Council has worked closely with Sustrans to get the Five Arches project underway. It will also benefit parents and pupils at local schools, like Norton Hill, who walk or cycle to school."

Eugene Kertzman, North Radstock Cycling Group, said "It's fantastic to see this route now being built. It will become the spine of sustainable transport in the Norton Radstock area. Giving the two towns a great link for cycling walking and riding and tackle some of the increased congestion in the towns."

This scheme has been made possible through enormous support for the Sustrans project which won a public vote in 2007 to receive £50million grant from the Big Lottery Fund to help UK communities make more local everyday journeys by foot and by bike.