Supporters of plans to build a Sustrans cycle path between Chepstow and Tintern have expressed dismay over delays in the planning process which has resulted in the loss of Lottery funding for the project.

Sustrans Connect2 planned to convert the derelict Wye Valley Railway into a community path between Chepstow and Tintern.

After a public vote in December 2007, the Big Lottery Fund awarded £50 million to UK charity Sustrans to help establish sustainable travel links between local communities.

The Chepstow-Tintern path was one of around 80 projects nationwide earmarked for a share of the funding.

In order to receive the funding projects had to be completed within five years, but Monmouthshire County Council (MCC) officials have still not made a decision on the application, nearly nine months after the latest application was first lodged.

Jeremy Cowen, spokesperson for Wye Valley Communities for Safe Cycling, said: "As a result of these delays, the Lottery money is frustratingly no longer available as Sustrans cannot feasibly complete the project within the five year funding window.

For full story see Beacon 18/05/11.