I'VE just read Tidenham Parish Council's letter to  the Review (October 8) and I'm very surprised at how the Parish Council is conducting itself.

It disputes the evidence based independent transport survey but appears to have done nothing to consult the Highways Agency or done any research and seems to be plucking figures out of thin air.

The council talks about increased anti social behaviour but has not consulted the police to see what they think. In fact the local police had no problem at all with the last application.

The council cast doubt in the meeting when the decision was made about Wyedean schools' commitment but made no effort to contact the school to ask what its position was. This has now been clarified by Wyedean to the Forest of Dean planners and to the council.

The 40 per cent council tax thing is just completely made up. Sustrans has agreed to fund this and if something happened to Sustrans and the local council did not want to pick up the bill they could simply close the path. To spread this alarmist untruth in the press is irresponsible.

The five per cent is pure conjecture and total rubbish. If people can be bothered to sign up in support of something and they live in the parish they will definitely use the path. So I would say 100 per cent would be regular users.

The council made no attempt to canvas local opinion on this matter and I think local support for the cyclepath has been hugely underestimated.

Sedbury has pubs and shops which would definitely benefit from the visitors. There would also be opportunities for new businesses like bike hire, cafes etc.

The Peregrine path has mixed users and they have no trouble there.

Sedbury parking is hardly at a premium but that is immaterial as Wyedean can accommodate the predicted traffic rise.

It seemed apparent at the meeting that the councillors' minds had been made up long before the plans were submitted. It was also obvious that many of the councillors had not set eyes on the plans before they made a decision on them.

It is stated that the meeting was being held early to give the council a chance to gather information about the proposals before a decision was made. No effort was made to gather any information and a knee jerk decision was made on the spot.

I feel quite strongly that on this matter the parish council has not and is not conducting itself in a proper way.

I'm sorry if I sound put out but I made considerable effort to engage with the council about the cycle path plans and reading a one sided letter and one sided objections on the Forest of Dean planning site I feel the council has failed to properly represent the community on this matter. – Andy Littledale, Tutshill.