I have noticed that a new application to convert the former Wye Valley railway line between Tutshill and Tintern into a shared path for cyclists and walkers has been submitted to the Forest of Dean District Council (Application P1626/10/ FUL).
I have also observed that as well as the large number of people who have written in to support the application there seems to be the usual objections emanating from a small number of people in the Brockweir area.
Having read some of these comments, they seem to suggest that those people in the Brockweir area who are objecting regard the Wye Valley not as a tourist area but as their personal fiefdom and visitors should only be allowed there on sufferance!
Perhaps these objectors would be happier if the road bridge at Brockweir were dismantled so that Brockweir village could only be reached from the Hewelsfield direction!
Another idea might be to use the former East German system and to have border posts at St Arvans and Monmouth and to instruct motorists from outside the area that the A466 from St. Arvans to Monmouth is classified as a "Transit Route" and there should be no stopping when travelling between the two places!
I am retired and have lived within seven miles of Tintern for over 50 years. For the last 17 years I have lived in the Wye Valley AONB near Trellech. I would very much like the area to acquire what will undoubtedly be a superb walking and cycling facility which I would use frequently.
I would urge those many local people who would welcome this splendid proposed facility to write in support of the scheme both to Monmouthshire County Council(Planning Application DC/2010/ 00783) and the Forest of Dean District Council. – Mike Mason, Trellech.