Named after and dedicated to the first Chair of the Glastonbury Town Deal Board, the Robert Richards Initiative is a three-strand sustainability project that encompasses education & training, sustainable builds and green infrastructure.

• A new learning platform has been created in collaboration with the Open University. This provides a comprehensive range of courses around sustainability, skills development and wellbeing, most of which are free.
• Some projects will receive a contribution to deliver sustainable build solutions that showcase what can be achieved.
• Improving green infrastructure is important aspect and 2.5km of paths will be created for use by walkers and cyclists. These will link with existing pathways and Town Deal projects.

Overall, the aim of the Robert Richards Initiative is to boost awareness of sustainability issues, raise knowledge and skill levels and support Glastonbury in becoming a carbon neutral town by 2030.

Project FAQs – Paths

How will the Town Deal funding improve walking and cycling in Glastonbury?
The aim is to improve both utility routes (journeys taken for essential trips such as work, school and shopping trips) and recreational routes (leisure trips for pleasure such as running, dog walking or learning to ride a bike) by creating or improving access routes around the town.

Where will the paths be installed in 2025?
The first paths were installed in 2023 at the Tor Sports & Leisure site and been well-accepted. Path works in 2025 are Willow Walk improvements, Beckery paths and an additional path at Tor Leisure.

An easy-access path has been laid across the Orchard Field and up onto Bride’s Mound.  The scale of the hard standing at the top of the Mound caused considerable concerns. Following feedback, we will be removing the stone dust path on the top of Bride’s Mound in September 2025 and restore a more sympathetic surface, one that is in greater harmony with the landscape.  The former interpretation board on the Mound will also be re-sited as part of the wider interpretation strategy for the Scheduled Monument.

What surface will the paths have?
Paths will be unsealed limestone dust or hoggin (a mix of gravel, sand and clay) which allow for drainage.

Will new paths be new rights of way?
No, new paths will be permissive paths.  This is a quicker way of delivering paths and enables the landowner to carry out any maintenance works without having to apply for a formal closure or diversion.

When will the works be completed?
The paths will all be delivered at different times and all will be completed in Autumn 2025.