This work is going to be undertaken on the second section of the Tetbury Trail that runs along the course of the old railway line from the end of Preston Park to the Newnton Hill road.
This section of the Tetbury Trail had an earth surface that was perfectly adequate for users when it was first opened. However, the success of the Trail has resulted in an increasing use by walkers, cyclists and horse riders plus a weekly parkrun event, usually with more than 100 runners.
All this has resulted in the second section of the Trail becoming severely eroded exposing a mass of tree roots and thick mud when it is wet.
This makes it very difficult to walk along the Trail, with the continuous trip hazards caused by the roots. There have been numerous complaints and at least one serious accident when a walker was injured after falling over a tree root.
We will be laying a crushed limestone surface along the second section of the Trail. This is a natural material that blends into the landscape over time. The first and third section of the Trail have a crushed limestone surface and the intention is to use this material for the second section of the Trail too.
Completing the all-weather surface right along the Tetbury Trail to the Trouble House means it can be used all year round by pedestrians, cyclists, equestrians, parents with prams/buggies and particularly the disabled who often find it difficult to access the countryside.
The former railway line is flat with few gates and no stiles, so once surfaced it will be ideal for wheelchairs, mobility scooters, rollators, adaptive bikes, prams and pushchairs. The Trail will also be suitable for the elderly and less able who find it difficult walking along rough country footpaths, up steep slopes, across ploughed fields and having to climb over stiles, walls, electric fences etc.
The surfacing work will take about four weeks to complete and it’s hoped to start in the summer (the images show earlier surfacing work carried out in 2021). The second section of the Trail will have to be closed while the work is carried out. We apologise for any inconvenience to users.
The Tetbury Trail is free to use but doesn’t receive any income apart from voluntary contributions. If you can, please make a donation via the collection boxes in the Goods Shed and the Trouble House or via our donation form: https://tetburygoodsshed.co.uk/donate-to-the-tetbury-trail/
The Tetbury Trail is three miles of continuous rights of way that runs from the Tetbury Water Works to the lane between Culkerton and Cherington.
This means that everyone has a legal right to ride, cycle, run, walk and take dogs on or off the lead along the entire length of the Trail. Note that placing false or misleading signs to deter the use of a right of way is a criminal offence. The right to exercise dogs off lead only applies to the line of the right of way, and does not extend to the Rail Lands adjacent to the right of way, from the Wiltshire bridge to the end of the picnic area, which is owned by Tetbury Town Council and where the Council wish dogs to be kept on leads.
