Nature trail plan revealed (From Free Press Series)

Nature trail plan revealed

MAJOR plans to revamp the Severnside Area into a picturesque tourist attraction are to be discussed tonight (Wednesday).

The Severnside Area Forum will meet at Caldicot Choir Hall from 6pm, where councillors and representatives from local organisations will consider the idea of a history nature trail, similar to the Taff Trail, linking Caldicot, Blackrock and Caerwent with Rogiet, Undy and Magor and the surrounding areas.

It includes multi-purpose lakes with swans surrounded by wildlife and information centres and activities for residents and visitors.

One of those pushing the idea forward is Councillor James Harris, of Caldicot, who is looking to bring the whole of Caldicot up to an equally high standard.

Cllr Harris is concerned about the stark contrast in the living environment between different areas in Caldicot, and fears visitors will be put off the area because of litter and fly-tipping.

"Having lived in the west end of Caldicot all my life, one of the reasons I got on the council was because I was looking to improve the area's environment," said Councillor Harris.

"We feel we do not get the same treatment as other parts of Caldicot where the streets are cleaned every day. We have been talking about improvements for the past 18 months, but it is not progressing.

"The county council has put in a new park in Rogiet, it really is lovely and we want this to be part of a nature trail, linking in all the surrounding areas, perhaps having a Railway Heritage centre, and opening up the paths that have been left.

"We need to get the rubbish out of the countryside and the tourists in, bringing people to the countryside and giving them a day out.

"Sudbrook is where the Romans landed. It's a lovely place with a great history. We would like a tourist information centre there, and to build a second bridge because there is only one to take people in and out of the village at the moment."

Area manager Giles Balisatt, said: "Plans are in the early stages, but it is the sort of thing the forum should be looking at.

"It works in the north with the three castle walk, linking Skenfrith, White Castle and Grosmont. It would be good to have this in the south.

"The idea is excellent, but we need to look at costs before plans can be set in stone. "We have to work out whether the funding will come from the forum or the county council. "The countryside officers have a part to play in the plans and there will also be planning issues to deal with.

"The main opposition to the plan is finding the funds: where can we find money for signs? As with a lot of schemes, it's all down to funding."