GOLDEN Valley residents have put the wheels of a campaign to build a cycle track running through it firmly in motion after meeting with parish councillors.
The Golden Valley Environment Group (GVEG) has high hopes for a continuous route between Hay-on-Wye and Pontrilas after gaining the support of several parish councils in the area.
Member Freer Spreckley said: “The reaction has been very positive. We have two parish councils that already have cycle tracks in their parish plans and another three that have come back to us asking us if we have any drafted paragraphs.”
The development comes four months after GVEG introduced the idea at a public meeting and will see more formal proposals go before Herefordshire Council if all of the eight or so parishes involved get on board.
Transport charity Sustrans has also been approached to deal with the administrative side of any future applications and further consultation with the community is planned.
Schools and business would then play a major part in finalising proposals as GVEG’s aims are primarily to build a secure route to school and the workplace, as well as boosting tourism in the area. A ‘river of pollen’ - a strip of wild flowers - is also being considered for conservation purposes.
Mr Spreckley said: “The Golden Valley has three primary schools and a secondary school in it, so access to school is a big issue.”
Funding is now needed for a feasibility study and professional help for parishes to establish their own needs regarding the track before confirming it in their plans.
Anyone wanting to get involved in discussions can contact Freer Spreckley on 01497 831 770 or f.spreckley@locallivelihoods.com, Charlie Westhead on 01981 500 182 or charliewesthead@intermail.com, or Peter Gunn-Wilkinson on 01981 550 700 or petergw@btinternet.com
