Wye cycle route plans (From Free Press Series)

Wye cycle route plans

A PLAN to create a cycle route along the path of an old railway line between Monmouth and Symonds Yat will be considered by county planners this week.

Sustrans Ltd have submitted a plan to Monmouthshire council for a shared path for walkers and cyclists through the Wye Valley.

The cycle route will run for about 4km along a former railway line, a large part of which is now used as a forest track.

The path will start from Hadnock Road in Monmouth and the Whippington Brook, continue through Gloucester, the Forest of Dean and end in Symonds Yat in Herefordshire.

Sustrans say the cycle route will be an important link for people living in and visiting the Wye Valley.

Monmouthshire council are also satisfied the scheme is in accordance with planning policy and have recommended approval of the plan.

Rupert Crosbee, regional negotiator for Sustran, said; "We see it as being a useful way for people in Monmouth and Symonds Yat to travel without using a car and not adding to the congestion of cars on the road.

"It uses entirely existing forest track, farm track, and an old railway line and it will hardly be visible."

However, there has also been considerable opposition to the development, which will take place in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Around 18 letter of objection have been submitted to the council along with objections from seven organisations on environmental grounds.

The Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales fear the scheme is one in a long line of planning applications for a national cycle route through the Lower Wye Valley.

Joe Frost, of the CPRW, said: 'Monmouthshire CPRW support cycling but not a national route in the steep sided, narrow gorge area of the lower Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

"It is unsuitable for a national route with all the associated problems of traffic, car parking, maintenance and impact on wildlife and the environment, plus the likely invasion of the surrounding woodlands by mountain bikers and off road motor cycles."