TIDENHAM Parish Council has voted to object to plans for a cycleway largely following the former railway line from Chepstow to Brockweir.

At a meeting last week, councillors expressed concerns over parking at Wyedean School, fears about parking in narrow lanes around Netherhope and Bishton, and worries about long term maintenance of the track itself.

Meantime, the cycleway has received high profile support from Frank Barrett, travel dditor of The Mail On Sunday and weather presenter, Sian Lloyd.

Writing about London's bike hire scheme, Frank Barrett says: "I was brought up in Tintern in the Wye Valley, which used to lie on what was probably the world's loveliest train ride between Chepstow and Monmouth. The line fell victim to Beeching's axe in the 60s. While a small part of the line was used for a road-widening scheme, all the rails were pulled up and one bridge was rashly blown apart in the belief that it would be worth a lot as scrap metal (it wasn't) – but the path of the track, for the most part, remains as it was.

"When the magnificent Sustrans cycleway people came up with a plan to turn this old railway into a cycle path, it seemed like the perfect solution. I've walked this path many times and the views are stunning – they famously inspired Words­worth's 'Lines composed a few miles above Tintern Abbey'.

"Who could possibly object to such a marvellous idea which promotes tourism, encourages healthy living and makes clever use of a neglected piece of infrastructure?

"Well, people who live near the proposed cycleway are mounting a campaign of vociferous opposition worried about an increase in visitor numbers and probable car parking problems.

"I can understand people objecting to airport expansion or the construction of high-speed railways – but opposing a cycleway because it might attract people is rather a poor show.

"There are genuine fears that when the plan comes up for approval by the Forest of Dean Planning Committee, they will listen to the objectors and reject the scheme. This would be a huge shame."

Meanwhile, Sian Lloyd says: "I have a passion for walking and cycling and Sustrans' plans for the railway path sound fantastic. What an amazing resource for the people of the Wye Valley and the surrounding area. I am behind them 100 per cent."