Letters or telephone calls are always welcome, even the ones that take me to task for some real or imagined error, and I was pleased to be greeted by one reader with the words: "I can feel a Taste Of Tabrett topic coming on."
That was followed by a mini-tirade about what is happening on the highly-popular Strawberry Line walk and cycleway between Winscombe and Axbridge and the inconvenience being caused to its many users.
The problem is that the former railway tunnel at Shute Shelve, which provides a level route through a short stretch of the Mendip Hills, is out of bounds.
The solar-powered lights, installed at no small cost, failed many months ago. Then back in the winter North Somerset Council ruled it was unsafe because of icicles hanging from the roof. Most people, though, decided the risk was slight and carried on using it.
Now it has been firmly barricaded off because of water damage to the brickwork, with the result that trail users face a long, quite difficult and very muddy diversion which is possible on foot but not on two wheels.
North Somerset Council and their partners in the project, Sustrans, have had weeks to get matters sorted out.
They have put up diversion signs but these give no clue that the way is only suitable for pedestrians or of the obstacles ahead. Cyclists are left entirely to their own devices.
At first the council suggested taking a permissive path through a wildlife meadow, but so much damage was caused to it by feet and wheels that this option has now been closed.
Having gone to see the trouble spot for myself, it is clear that the latest alternative public footpath is possible for walkers but the parallel bridle path – which is the only one cyclists can use legally – is knee-deep in mud in places and so impossible except those with sturdy mountain machines and even sturdier muscles.
There certainly isn't any advice for pedalling commuters (and there used to be quite a few of them) or those with heavy panniers or a child trailing behind; until the tunnel is reopened, and sadly there is little sign of that happening for very many months, their only choice is to risk life and limb for a mile or so on the traffic-congested A38.
The latest long-range weather predictions must have come as music to the ears of the holiday industry in general and local MP John Penrose, the Tourism Minister, in particular.
The message they have been trying to spread is that we should all take a holiday at home this year and help boost our economy.
In case you missed it, the meteorological experts reckon we're going to have a scorchingly-hot August just in time for the school holidays but that will be after an iffy July and a June which could see days of rain and thunderstorms creating the familiar mire for Glastonbury Festival-goers and a drenching for Wimbledon tennis fans.
The words of wisdom (or, if you are a cynic like me, the long-range guess) come from an outfit called Positive Weather Solutions, who claim their seasonal predictions are better than anyone else's. Rather hedging their bets they say it'll be a brolly and sunblock season when we have to take the rough with the smooth, the wet with the dry.
However, the wonderful March days we have just enjoyed have clearly provided a pretty good start for all our local attractions, and what is especially gratifying is the large number of overseas visitors in Somerset, hopefully helping to keep the cash tills ringing.
Let's just hope they don't stray on to the Strawberry Line Trail...
Ian Tabrett
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