A FIRST walk of spring 2026 along the proposed route of the Grand Western Greenway (GWG) from Wellington to Taunton will be held at the end of the month.

The event on Saturday, May 30, will follow as closely as possible the eight miles of planned off-road track for walkers, wheelers, and cyclists between the two towns.

It follows a public meeting held in January when GWG organisers and a Sustrans cycle charity representative explained progress to date on creating the traffic-free route.

GWG wants Somerset Council to use some of a £10 million Government grant for active travel to commission a start on the greenway work.

A spokesperson for GWG said the May 30 walk would allow people to experience the route and ‘give you a good idea of what to expect’.

They said: “The time has come to walk the greenway again.

“We had a fairly long pause over the winter, but spring has sprung and it is time to get back at it.

“The route is flat and solid underfoot.

“We leave from Longforth Farm, outside the Pritex factory gates on Lillebonne Way, at 9.30 am and generally get into Longrun Meadow, in Taunton, at or around 2 pm.

“You will need to bring your own refreshments and, in the spirit of sustainability, will return to Wellington on the number 22 bus.”

Places on the walk should be reserved online.

The spokesperson said the project was progressing and discussions were being held with landowners and Somerset Council discussions.

They said: “We are preparing for the next major step, commissioning a feasibility study.

“To help secure funding, we need to show strong public support for a traffic-free route between Wellington and Taunton.

“One way you can help is by completing our short travel and use survey, which asks how you might use the greenway as an alternative to the busy A38.”