A GROUP of volunteers and cycle enthusiasts have cleared a route to Warminster which is well used by both cyclists and walkers.

The six men who are from the Frome Sustrans, a walking and cycling charity, were joined by Colin French, organiser of the annual Warminster Wobble Festival of Cycling and member of the Warminster Sustrans to clear the path of mud and overgrown forestry.

The team which included Chris Green, Chris Kenyon, Andrew Marchant, Tom Woollard, Colin Wisbey and Mr French worked for five hours to get the path cleared once and for all after being told it was not the responsibility of Wiltshire Council.

The path is known as route 24 and is part of the Sustran’s National Cycle Network, meaning it is recognised as one of a series of traffic-free paths and quiet, on-road cycling and walking routes, that links up towns villages and cities.

Mr French said: “We decided to clean up route 24 as it is a well used path for walkers as well as cyclists.

“Being part of the National Cycle Network, it is an essential route to access Warminster.

“We spent around five hours working hard to clear the route of mud that had built up over the winter.

“We had the help of walkers and farmers in the area who took away masses of soil for us.”

The route itself runs from Bath through Radstock, Frome, Warminster and Salisbury to join with National Route 23 at Eastleigh in Hampshire.

Route 24 includes the Colliers Way, which connects Dundas Aquaduct and Frome.

The next step for the group is to improve the the ground conditions by laying compact stone chippings.

Mr French added: “We are looking for any donations which may help us to further improve the route.

“Materials such as stone chippings and gravel would be very useful to us so we can complete the next stage of the project.

“We are very happy with the work we have done so far to make the route useable to the public.

“It is a well known route to many cyclists travelling to Warminster.

“We are very relieved to have it cleared.”

The project was supported by Hunters Moon care home in Chippenham, who provided the group with refreshments through their day of hard work clearing the cycle route.