Wellow Brook Walk

The Wellow Brook Walk has reopened again following significant improvement and accessibility works undertaken by Midsomer Norton Town Council.  

Further to the Town Council’s 2015 Green Spaces Strategy, to ensure that additional green spaces were developed for the benefit of everyone in the town and for those visiting, a ten year lease for the land adjoining the Wellow Brook was acquired following negotiations with the Duchy of Cornwall. 

A new pathway has been created with selective vegetation cleared, under ecological guidance, to provide a view of the brook.  At the time of writing, footings have been placed for benches and picnic tables to allow residents to enjoy this wildlife corridor.  Information signs and a totem pole are in development and will be installed shortly. 

Further to residential feedback, which has been overwhelmingly positive, The Town Council have modified the position of one bench to address concerns of privacy which were raised at a Council meeting. 

The programme of works was mostly funded from housing developer contributions, with additional financing from Western Power, the B&NES Somer Valley Rediscovered project and the National Lottery Awards for All. 

Cllr Gordon Mackay, stated “This is yet another public open space in Midsomer Norton that I’m proud to show to visitors. Along side our other achievements including the Town Park and the Garden of Friendship we’re working hard to enable our community to spend more time outdoors and enjoy nature.”

The Somer Valley Rediscovered Project administered by the West of England Combined Authority has recently released an additional £43k of funding for the Wellow Brook Walk which will allow the natural grassland areas to be restored and managed to prevent scrub development.  This will lead to increased biodiversity and pollination while increasing the water quality of the Wellow Brook.