GLOUCESTERSHIRE First Local Enterprise Partnership (GFirstLEP) has awarded £1 million of funding, specifically to the Lydney division of Gloucestershire County Council (GCC).

The primary rationale for the scheme is to improve connectivity by the delivery of enhanced infrastructure improvements to walking and cycling links.

This falls within the context of the Lydney Transport Strategy and the adopted GCC Local Transport Plan.

The scheme also supports working towards a greener, healthier Forest of Dean that promotes sustainable economic growth.

The scheme will create a pleasant, safe and accessible network of pathways around Lydney, linking Aylburton, Lydney town centre, the mainline railway station, Dean Forest Railway, Dean Academy and nearby residential developments.

Since 2013 a tremendous amount of positive collaborative partnership working between Lydney Town Council and the county council has enabled this project to develop and fulfill the key objectives and stringent requirements of GFirstLEP.

In Lydney, I must thank ex-councillor John Openshaw, the late Cllr Dave Street, Cllr Brian Pearman and the essential administrative support of Allison Crawshaw.

At GCC, first class officers and council colleagues have been cajoled and encouraged by myself to support this initiative. 

While the local planning authority, Forest of Dean District Council, seems content to build houses at all cost in Lydney, it’s correct to say that Lydney Town Council, GCC officers and myself are much more focused on future infrastructure requirements.

Notwithstanding, the delivery of this GFirstLEP scheme, work continues for future essential delivery, and indeed seeks to “play catch up” on one or two issues.

For clarity, many people have contacted me regarding connectivity of a multi-track (cycling walking) route between Lydney and the Forest.

A couple of years back I managed to secure a considerable sum of money from GCC to contribute towards a route feasibility study on this route.

The details and documentation on this scheme are held by West Dean Parish Council (WDPC) in Bream.

In my view, as 90 per cent of the route would traverse land within the West Dean parish, then WDPC should be the driving force.

– Cllr Alan Preest, (Con), Gloucestershire County Council, Lydney.