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Chailm Survey

1YJanuary 2023 by Helen Gough

Route description

This route follows an extremely straightforward route from Ilminster to Chard using the old railway line that used to run between them. The route forms part of SusTrans route 33 and takes in many World War 2 defences forming part of the Taunton Stop Line. The Stop Line was a continuous emplacement of tank traps, barriers and pill boxes in case of a Nazi invasion up along the south west peninsula of England. The path is firm, largely tarmac, although it can be rough and muddy in places. The route is easy to follow, although there are a few diverging, almost parallel, paths in places to keep an eye on navigation. It is well walked by dog walkers, so there is very often someone to ask if unsure. It is lit at both ends for a short distance near the towns, but not along it's length. The route is usually completely clear, however there are a few gates along the way that can be closed across the path to allow farm access, in whcih case you will need to use the cattle grid protected access alongside. At least one of these gates only has a tall metal narrow cycle access structure with limited width. Having said that, I have never seen the gates across the path in many years. The path moves through wooded areas, deep cuttings and beside farmland, with a highlight being the Chard sewage treatment plant halfway long! There are excellent interpretation panels for the World War 2 defences at points along the route and also a wildlife interpretation panel. Both towns of Ilminster and Chard have local amenities including food and accomodation, although public transport is limited. There is a (fairly) regular bus route between Axmoinster and Taunton that serves both.

About the surveyor

Coming soon.

Survey Contents

Grading

Path surface grading

1 Grade 1: Entirely smooth and compacted surfaces.

Accessibility grading

Y Access grade Y: Stile, step and obstacle free.

Photos

Photos from surveys are coming soon.

Facilities

  • Not present at time of survey Public toilet
  • Not present at time of survey Wheelchair accessible toilet
  • Not present at time of survey Supermarket
  • Not present at time of survey Restaurant
  • Not present at time of survey Vegan restaurant
  • Not present at time of survey Accommodation
  • Not present at time of survey Accommodation < £50
  • Not present at time of survey Campsite
  • Not present at time of survey Bothy
  • Not present at time of survey Free wifi
  • Not present at time of survey Public phone
  • Present at time of survey Mobile Phone Coverage
  • Not present at time of survey Train station
  • Present at time of survey Bench
  • Not present at time of survey Picnic table
  • Not present at time of survey Bus stop
  • Not present at time of survey Ferry

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Challenges

  • Not present at time of survey Scrambling
  • Not present at time of survey Wading
  • Not present at time of survey Swimming
  • Not present at time of survey Climbing
  • Not present at time of survey Stepping stones
  • Not present at time of survey Very slippery
  • Not present at time of survey Very muddy
  • Maybe present Very icy
  • Maybe present Likely to flood
  • Not present at time of survey Long grass sections
  • Not present at time of survey Crops encroaching on path
  • Not present at time of survey Diverted path

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Obstacles

  • Not present at time of survey Stiles
  • Not present at time of survey Step and kerbs
  • Present at time of survey Possible to avoid steps, if applicable
  • Not present at time of survey Flights of steps
  • Not present at time of survey Gates
  • Not present at time of survey Kissing gates
  • Not present at time of survey Locked gates
  • Not present at time of survey Disables access gates
  • Present at time of survey Cycle barriers
  • Not present at time of survey Ladders
  • Present at time of survey Cattle grids
  • Not present at time of survey Fords
  • Not present at time of survey Narrow bridges
  • Not present at time of survey Ferry required
  • Present at time of survey Acceptable road walking
  • Not present at time of survey Unacceptable road walking
  • Not present at time of survey Dangerous road crossings
  • Walking on paths beside roads
  • Not present at time of survey Walking on verges beside roads
  • Not present at time of survey Railway crossings
  • Not present at time of survey River crossings
  • Not present at time of survey Cattle possible
  • Not present at time of survey Horses possible
  • Not present at time of survey Tidal area
  • Not present at time of survey Potential falls
  • Present at time of survey Exposed to elements
  • Not present at time of survey Remote area
  • Not present at time of survey Mountainous area
  • Not present at time of survey Military training area
  • Not present at time of survey No visible path
  • Maybe present Seasonal nesting birds
  • Not present at time of survey Other hazards

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Accessibility

  • Present at time of survey Free of stiles
  • Present at time of survey Free of single steps/kerbs
  • Present at time of survey Free of flights of steps
  • Present at time of survey Free of other obstacles

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Measurements

Narrowest part of path: no data

The steepest uphill gradient East: no data

The steepest uphill gradient West: no data

The steepest camber: no data

How clear is the waymarking on the route: Clear

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Successfully completed

  • Small Pug-sized dog
  • Present at time of survey Small Labrador-sized dog
  • Large St. Bernard-sized dog
  • Standard pram
  • Off-road rugged pram
  • Standard wheelchair
  • Off-road rugged wheelchair
  • Standard mobility scooter
  • Off-road rugged mobility scooter

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Expert recommendations

  • Small Pug-sized dog
  • Present at time of survey Small Labrador-sized dog
  • Large St. Bernard-sized dog
  • Standard pram
  • Off-road rugged pram
  • Standard wheelchair
  • Off-road rugged wheelchair
  • Standard mobility scooter
  • Off-road rugged mobility scooter

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Terrain

No data yet

100.00% of the route is paved

There is no data on how much of this route is lit at night

There is no data on how muddy this route is

There is no data on rough ground

There is no data on long grass

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