Re-use of Welsh railway tunnels for cycling

[whole diary]

[Reginald25]

What the Rhondda Tunnel Society have achieved in the last few years is impressive. This would be the longest tunnel accessible in Wales if it comes to fruition, and their publicity is giving the impression it's when not if.  See http://www.rhonddatunnelsociety.co.uk/. Woth joining to support them.

[Richard Fairhurst]

Very slightly over the border, plans seem to be moving ahead to reuse the Wye Valley trackbed from Tidenham (near Chepstow) to Tintern as a cycle and walking route. This does include a short tunnel, although there's a landslip just north of it which currently blocks access. The track of the old Tidenham branch is apparently to be taken up and some of it will find a new home at the Forest of Dean Railway.

[Bmblbzzz]

Very slightly over the border, plans seem to be moving ahead to reuse the Wye Valley trackbed from Tidenham (near Chepstow) to Tintern as a cycle and walking route. This does include a short tunnel, although there's a landslip just north of it which currently blocks access. The track of the old Tidenham branch is apparently to be taken up and some of it will find a new home at the Forest of Dean Railway.

Still some way to go with that though. They're saying two to three years to remove the old track, then they'll "be able to work up to" a second section which should eventually connect with a bridge over the Wye which hasn't been built yet!

[Red Squirrel]

Very slightly over the border, plans seem to be moving ahead to reuse the Wye Valley trackbed from Tidenham (near Chepstow) to Tintern as a cycle and walking route. This does include a short tunnel, although there's a landslip just north of it which currently blocks access. The track of the old Tidenham branch is apparently to be taken up and some of it will find a new home at the Forest of Dean Railway.

Still some way to go with that though. They're saying two to three years to remove the old track, then they'll "be able to work up to" a second section which should eventually connect with a bridge over the Wye which hasn't been built yet!

Building a new Bridge on the River Wye is trivial, compared with the effort required to deal with the various parish planning authorities along the route... they make North Somerset look dangerously progressive.

[Richard Fairhurst]

Still some way to go with that though. They're saying two to three years to remove the old track, then they'll "be able to work up to" a second section which should eventually connect with a bridge over the Wye which hasn't been built yet!

I found the progress update a bit hard to parse, but on the basis that Dayhouse Quarry, the A48 bridge, and the National Diving & Activity Centre are pretty much the same place, I think they're saying that Sustrans/A-BCC^» (Bristol City Council - about) will be removing the track north of the A48 bridge (through the tunnel) imminently. The FoDR will then be taking up the track south of the bridge in their own time - as you say, over the next few years.

[CyclingSid]

Not quite the same progress with some English tunnels. The South Downs National Park wants to re-open the Singleton Tunnel on the old Chichester to Midhurst branch (to extend the Centurion Way). I get the impression that Natural England are digging their heels in because of bats. Not aware that the issue has been raised with the two following tunnels.

[Red Squirrel]

Bats were certainly an issue in the Two Tunnels scheme in Bath, but not one that could not be overcome:

...lights placed every seven metres cast soft pools of illumination on to the smooth road surface and the sooty brick and limestone walls. So as not to disturb the resident bats, the low roof of the tunnel is kept in semi-darkness.

Source: The Independent

[Richard Fairhurst]

Very slightly over the border, plans seem to be moving ahead to reuse the Wye Valley trackbed from Tidenham (near Chepstow) to Tintern as a cycle and walking route. This does include a short tunnel, although there's a landslip just north of it which currently blocks access.

The tunnel opens to pedestrians and cyclists tomorrow (1st April). No, really.

[Bmblbzzz]

Very slightly over the border, plans seem to be moving ahead to reuse the Wye Valley trackbed from Tidenham (near Chepstow) to Tintern as a cycle and walking route. This does include a short tunnel, although there's a landslip just north of it which currently blocks access.

The tunnel opens to pedestrians and cyclists tomorrow (1st April). No, really.

Ooh, thanks for the update. I'll have to check that out (subject to Covid restrictions – are we allowed to cross the border now?

[Chris from Nailsea]

That's an interesting one: my understanding was that the rules on travel anywhere within Wales have been lifted - but the restrictions on travelling into Wales remain.

However, I can't immediately find any authority for that: can anyone help?

[Lee]

That's an interesting one: my understanding was that the rules on travel anywhere within Wales have been lifted - but the restrictions on travelling into Wales remain.

However, I can't immediately find any authority for that: can anyone help?

https://news.sky.com/story/covid-19-wales-lockdown-to-ease-slightly-with-cross-border-travel-allowed-from-12-april-12261978

Pubs, restaurants and cafes could reopen outdoors in Wales from 26 April, while cross-border travel between the country and the rest of the UK^▸ (United Kingdom) will be allowed from 12 April.

First Minister Mark Drakeford will confirm the next steps in easing Wales's lockdown at a briefing on Thursday, as he aims for the country to fully move down to Alert Level 3 by 17 May.

Under the Welsh government's plan:

• On 12 April: Students in Wales will return to face-to-face education and all remaining non-essential retail and close contact services will be allowed to reopen. COVID rules will also be changed to allow travel into and out of Wales from the rest of the UK and the Common Travel Area

• On 22 April: The Welsh government will formally review COVID restrictions

• On 26 April: Subject to that review, outdoor attractions and outdoor hospitality will reopen, including at cafes, pubs and restaurants

• By early May: The Welsh government plans to allow organised outdoor activities for up to 30 people to take place, and for gyms, leisure centres and fitness facilities to reopen for individual or one-to-one training although not exercise classes.

Mr Drakeford will warn, however, that the next steps on Wales' lockdown-easing roadmap remain subject to public health conditions "continuing to remain favourable".

[Chris from Nailsea]

The tunnel opens to pedestrians and cyclists tomorrow (1st April). No, really.

Ooh, thanks for the update. I'll have to check that out (subject to Covid restrictions – are we allowed to cross the border now?

Sorry, No - not until 12 April. 

[Lee]

The tunnel opens to pedestrians and cyclists tomorrow (1st April). No, really.

Ooh, thanks for the update. I'll have to check that out (subject to Covid restrictions – are we allowed to cross the border now?

Sorry, No - not until 12 April. 

Indeed. Hope you found that answer and timetable helpful, Bmblbzzz. Over here in France, our attempt at semi-freedom-with-a-curfew appears to be about to turn into de facto lockdown, so we are unlikely to see any chinks of light until mid-May at the earliest.

Enjoy 

[froome]

Very slightly over the border, plans seem to be moving ahead to reuse the Wye Valley trackbed from Tidenham (near Chepstow) to Tintern as a cycle and walking route. This does include a short tunnel, although there's a landslip just north of it which currently blocks access.

The tunnel opens to pedestrians and cyclists tomorrow (1st April). No, really.

Ooh, thanks for the update. I'll have to check that out (subject to Covid restrictions – are we allowed to cross the border now?

Presumably the Wye valley trackbed is all in England, as (unless I'm mistaken) it lies on the eastern side of the river. Chepstow itself would be out of bounds until April 12th, but the line should be reachable from Forest of Dean roads.

[Richard Fairhurst]

It is indeed. So you can ride through the tunnel but can't cross over to Tintern (the village where tinternet was invented). I don't know to what extent the paths north of the tunnel have been cleared/improved anyway...