PLANS to build a cycle and walking track along the lower Wye Valley are backed by local people, say the groups behind recent consultations on the scheme.

Sustainable transport pressure group Sustrans and the Wye Valley Communities for Safe Cycling group, who organised the meetings, will soon be submitting their plans to the two councils involved.

They are hoping to create a traffic-free path for walkers, wheelchair users, people pushing buggies, cyclists and horse riders along the disused Wye Valley Railway line between Chepstow, Tintern and Brockweir.

"A series of consultation meetings attracted 265 people, most of whom live within three miles of the proposed route. And 98 per cent of people said they would use the path if it opened," says a spokesman.

The plans are being submitted soon to Monmouthshire County Coun­cil and the Forest of Dean District Council.

Sustrans area manager Rupert Crosbee said: "We were very pleased to see so many people and to hear how they would use the path. Most were planning to walk or cycle and a quarter said they would use it daily or a few times a week.

"We were also able to discuss people's concerns such as access for horse riders. The results from these meetings give us a snapshot of public response to the plans and will be used in conjunction with other information to guide decisions to be made later this year."

A summary of the findings is on website http://www.wyevalleycycling">www.wyevalleycycling. org.uk 

Jeremy Cowen from Wye Valley Communities for Safe Cycling added: "Public interest in these plans has been huge. They are keen to see a safe environment for travel away from traffic which will be good for families and give access to our beautiful local scenery.

"The routes will include a bridge over the River Wye and these  meetings were a chance to view not just the plans for the route but also comment on the type of bridge and its practical details."