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Residents are being invited to have their say on proposals to restore the currently disused Wye Valley Railway between Chepstow, Tintern and Brockweir as a traffic-free path for walkers, wheelchair users, people pushing buggies, cyclists and horse riders. The proposal currently includes plans to build a new bridge over the Wye at Tintern, at the site of the old railway bridge which people may remember carried its last passenger train fifty years ago. It will also reopen two existing tunnels, one a kilometre long, completing an idyllic route for journeys to school, the shops or just to enjoy the beautiful local scenery, without having to use the car.

A series of drop in consultations in Brockweir, Tintern and Chepstow over the coming weeks will offer people the chance to find out more, get answers to any questions and inform the planning application which will follow. Information available on the day will include the latest designs, maps of the route and access points.

These proposals have been developed with strong support from those living and working locally and have been guided by working closely with wildlife experts to determine how to best look after local species, habitats and biodiversity. 

Jeremy Cowen from Wye Valley Communities for Safe Cycling urges people to respond to this consultation: “The prospect of a safe, traffic-free path re-establishing the historic connection along the Wye Valley Railway excites the imagination and has the potential to allow the local community to leave the car at home and move more sensitively about our beautiful valley away from the notoriously dangerous A466 and B4228. Furthermore, it has the added potential of enhancing business in the Valley, which is so desperately needed in the current climate.

“For these reasons, Wye Valley Communities for Safe Cycling would encourage local communities and councils to back this Sustrans initiative, and seize the opportunity for a wonderful facility which will benefit us all.”

Rupert Crosbee, Sustrans’ Area Manager says: “We’re presenting our current ideas at these consultation events in Brockweir, Tintern and Chepstow over the coming weeks. We’re looking forward to welcoming as many people as possible along as we want to hear more about what they think before putting our proposals forward to the local councils. What more can I say – come along, have your say and be part of the proposals – we want to hear from you!”

Sustrans hopes to submit a planning application for the route to Monmouthshire County and the Forest of Dean District Councils in Summer/Autumn this year.

This consultation has been funded by the Sustainable Development Fund, a Welsh Assembly Government initiative in Wales and a DEFRA initiative in England in the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

There is tremendous support to enable people to walk and cycle more. In December 2007, Sustrans’ Connect2 won £50 million from the Big Lottery Fund in a televised vote won by a landslide. Some of this money is earmarked to putting this bridge and its surrounding paths in place.

Come and have your say at the venues ane times below;

Brockweir, Mackenzie Hall            10 – 4pm Saturday 20th June

Tintern, Anchor Inn                     10 – 4pm Saturday 27th June

Chepstow, Methodist Church Hall  10 – 5pm Saturday 4th July

Published on 05th Jun 2009