Gravity’s Village Enhancement Scheme (VES) – the proposed sustainable connection between the villages of Puriton and Woolavington – is due to start on site later this year, following the appointment of Montel Civil Engineering as the link’s main contractor.
The VES scheme aims to provide a safe and attractive route for walking and cycling, reduce traffic speed via the introduction of traffic-calming measures, and improve highway safety within the villages of Puriton and Woolavington. It will provide the first off-road route between the two villages, and to the new 37 Club, which is also anticipated to start on site in 2026.
Paul Lowndes, Project Director at This is Gravity, said: “It’s a positive moment for Gravity as we deliver a key piece of community-focused infrastructure that will improve local connections within the area, which is a key priority for us.
“At Gravity, we’re committed to delivering a connected place that puts Somerset and the wider South West at the centre of the digital and clean growth agenda, while at the same time creating a positive legacy for our neighbours.”
The multi-use path is one of several measures aimed at improving safe and sustainable transport connections around the two villages as part of Gravity’s ‘Clean and Inclusive’ growth strategy. It will be constructed using materials recycled from the Gravity site where possible, and new native trees will be planted along the route to further enhance the area. The path will be lit at night, and dog waste and litter bins will also be installed.
Gravity’s approach to the Village Enhancement Scheme reflects a key principle of the plan for the 616-acre Enterprise Zone, to make sure that the Gravity site and the surrounding area is a well-connected place that supports sustainable transport.
Improving connections between Puriton and Woolavington also underlines Gravity’s commitment to support Villages Together – a community-driven initiative to improve the villages as places to live and work.
The works on the VES are anticipated to approximately seven months to complete once the necessary council highways approvals are in place. For more information, please take a look at the following documents: VES detailed plan | VES traffic management plan
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For more information, please contact Ryan Devlin at Distinctive Communications at gravity@distinctivecomms.co.uk, or 07415 774803.
