SIR,
I read your article online about the possibility of Monmouthshire County Council (MCC) refusing permission to allow the cycle track to proceed.
I find it hard to believe that if they do, they could be so short sighted.
MCC have picked up on what has got to be a red herring.
There is plenty of parking in Tintern.
They make it sound as though the Wye Valley is going to be overrun by frantic walkers and cyclists, all jostling to get onto the path.
I am not going to go over the ground that has been covered in your article, but I will ask this.
Which is more important – the inappropriate parking of the odd car, or the safety of cyclists who are forced to use the seven mile stretch of the A466, (Tintern to Chepstow) which is both narrow, winding and has a poor accident record?
I live and drive in the Wye Valley and have been a cyclist myself, but gave up the main road as it became too dangerous.
The area is popular with cycle clubs, particularly in summer.
I have counted as many as 30 cyclists riding down the valley, all bunched up like a crocodile and causing motorists to do the most horrendous of manouvres to get past them.
This is normally accompanied by swerving, braking violently, shouting and the usual two fingered salute.
The cycle way would act as a safety valve if you like, and divert them away from that most dangerous stretch of road.
Personally, I think the safety of the cyclist (and walker) far outweighs the possibility of some lazy and irresponsible individual parking their car inappropriately.
I can only hope MCC see sense.
John Walsh
(Wye Valley)