The Ledbury Area Cycle Forum is calling for the building of a cycle bridge over the busy Bromyard Road into the train station yard.

The forum says the move will complete the Town Trail to its original specification.

It also wants the widening of the Orchard Lane bridge on the 1.5-mile trail, because it is too narrow for cyclists to use without scraping their knuckles on the side.

The LACF has put in two bids for funding from the Market Towns Initiative, following estimates that the Orchard Lane Bridge project would cost around £50,000, and the cycle bridge into the station more than £70,000.

LACF chairman Steve Glennie Smith, who is also a committee member of the Market Towns Initiative, recognises other sources of funding will need to be found, and no timescale has been given for the completion of the work.

The projects would be managed by Herefordshire Council.

Mr Glennie-Smith said the cycle bridge into the station was part of the original plan for the Town Trail, drawn up by Hereford and Worcester County Council in 1997.

He said: "It was never built, for financial reasons. The Market Towns Initiative can tap Government funds via advantage West Midlands for projects that will benefit this town and its people."

But Mr Glennie-Smiths said that in his view, of the two schemes, the widening of the Orchard Lane Bridge was first in priority.

He said: "At 850mm inside, it is below the recommended width for a wheelchair. In my opinion, the Orchard Lane project is more important, because the bridge cuts the Town Trail in two."

At present, "Cyclists Dismount" signs are either side of the bridge, but these could be removed if the bridge is widened.

The issues are likely to be discussed further at the annual meeting of the LACF at the Salters Yard office of Ledbury CVA, on Monday at 7.30pm.