Volunteers are being asked to step forward to help keep open the Ilminster-Chard Shared Path, also known as the Cycleway or The Stop Line Way.

The call has come from the  Crewkerne and Ilminster Local Community Network (LCN) Active Travel Working Group, one of the network of groups established by Somerset Council in partnership with communities.

Chair Matt Day said: “We are looking for users of the path who value it to come forwards and join a “Friends of the Path" group. Inspired by the successful Friends of The Strawberry Line, this could coordinate maintenance, explore possible funding opportunities for improvements and run fun events to highlight the great asset we have.”

Councillor Federica Smith-Roberts, Somerset Council’s Lead Member for Communities, said: “Volunteers are the lifeblood of our communities and achieve amazing things. If anyone can help with this project I hope they come forward to help keep open a much-loved and well-used route.”

The path was opened in 2008 by the national charity Sustrans, working with South Somerset District Council and the town and parish councils along the five-mile route. It forms part of the National Cycle Network Route 33.

Now it needs willing hands to help maintain the path as a popular traffic-free leisure and commuting route for walkers, runners and cyclists, providing a safe alternative route for cyclists to the busy A358.

Sustrans withdrew from the partnership due to funding constraints and plans tor regular maintenance were not established by the founding partners.

Volunteers in Donyatt, Somerset Council's Rights of Way team and local town and parish councils have cut back vegetation and repaired broken items. But more needs to be done to keep the path usable.

Anyone interested and would like to know more, please contact Matt Day on 07714 648913 or mattdaysomerset@gmail.com