Monmouthshire County Council has launched a consultation on the Local Nature Recovery Action Plan (NRAP) and Green Infrastructure Strategy.
Between the 14th of September and the 24th of October, we aim to understand how the climate and nature emergency impacts Monmouthshire residents and gather valuable insight on how we can support our communities.
Monmouthshire County Council is unwavering in its commitment to enhancing and preserving our natural environment under the Environment Wales Act 2016. Our Climate and Nature Emergency Strategy is built on four interconnected pillars: Council Emissions, Nature Recovery, Rivers and Ocean, and Communities and Climate. Central to our efforts is the Nature Recovery pillar, which will be advanced through the Monmouthshire Local Nature Recovery Action Plan (NRAP) and the Green Infrastructure Strategy.
The Monmouthshire Local NRAP is a collaboration between MCC and the Monmouthshire Local Nature Partnership. It provides a roadmap for local conservation efforts, offering practical steps to reverse biodiversity decline and strengthen ecosystem resilience across Monmouthshire. The plan aims to support everyone, from individuals and communities to businesses and conservationists.
The Green Infrastructure Strategy encompasses all natural components of our landscape, including trees, plants, green spaces, grasslands, and water features such as ponds and rivers. These elements are vital for environmental health, societal well-being, and economic stability. Our strategy aims to create a connected network of green spaces to improve health, support biodiversity, enhance ecosystem resilience, increase climate resilience, preserve our landscapes, and promote sustainable economic growth. A key focus is on protecting and restoring natural habitats to support wildlife and increase ecosystem resilience through innovative projects and partnerships, ultimately improving health outcomes and promoting climate action on a larger scale.
Our consultation, which launches today at the Usk Show, is a crucial opportunity for you to share your feedback on the NRAP and Green Infrastructure Strategy. Your opinions on how the nature emergency affects Monmouthshire and your ideas on the support needed to motivate communities to take action are invaluable.
On Saturday, 10 August, families joined MonLife’s Outdoor Accessible Adventure Day at Gilwern Outdoor Centre.
The day was filled with activities enjoyed by families and officers, with smiles evident on all the faces of those who attended. One highlight of the day was a conversation between a son and his dad. The son was overheard encouraging his dad to “Hold on tight, Daddy!” as they enjoyed the abseiling.
The activities, which were modified so that everyone could take part, included abseiling, archery, water play, crate stacking, and many more.
Cllr Angela Sandles, Monmouthshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Equalities and Engagement, said: “What a fantastic day at Gilwern Outdoor Centre. The day allowed us to provide an opportunity for families to come along and take part in the free activities available at the centre. Seeing everyone participating with a smile will stay with me for a long time in my memory.”
These projects are part-funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Gilwern Outdoor Centre is located in Gilwern, Abergavenny, and is situated near some of the best outdoor environments you could wish to find anywhere in the UK, including the River Usk, Black Mountains, and the Brecon Beacons on the doorstep. On-site, there is comfortable accommodation with plenty of space in the communal areas for children to get together and celebrate their achievements after a busy day of adventurous activities.
Monmouthshire County Council is delighted to announce that our attractions and open spaces continue to gather recognition, with the Green Flag Award.
Rogiet Countryside Park is the latest addition to our distinguished list of winners.
The Green Flag Award presentation was held on Tuesday 16 July, with Owen Derbyshire, CEO of Keep Wales Tidy, doing the honours.
Cllr Pete Strong was pleased to accept the award as Vice Chair of Monmouthshire County Council.
This award gives recognition to locations which offer excellent facilities and an ongoing commitment to great quality service.
Elsewhere in Monmouthshire, there were Green Flag Awards for
· Tintern Old Station – an award recipient since 2009
· Caldicot Castle and Country Park, honoured since 2013
· Castle Meadows in Abergavenny, since 2014
In addition, gardens and green spaces across the county have also been recognised with the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal achieving a Green Flag Award for the fourth year in a row and Busy Bees Garden in Monmouth also enjoying first-time success in achieving in the Green Flag Community Award.
Elsewhere in Monmouthshire, there were Green Flag Community Awards for:
· Bailey Park, Abergavenny
· Caerwent Meadows
· Caldicot Community Garden
· Crick Woodland
· Crick Meadow
· Crucorney Allotments
· Goytre Community Garden
· Incredible Edible Usk
· Laurie Jones Community Orchard
· Mardy Park
· Rogiet Wildlife Friendly Village
· The Cornfield.
Keep Wales Tidy administers the Green Flag Award program in Wales, with support from the Welsh Government. Independent experts in green spaces volunteered their expertise to evaluate the applicants against rigorous criteria such as biodiversity, cleanliness, environmental management, and community involvement.
Monmouthshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Equalities & Engagement, Angela Sandles, said: “This is a testament to the dedication and hard work of communities across Monmouthshire in creating and maintaining spaces that not only enhance our environment but also provide invaluable community assets for all to enjoy.
“Monmouthshire County Council extends heartfelt congratulations to all the award recipients and encourages everyone to explore and appreciate these exemplary green spaces that contribute to the beauty and vitality of our county.
“We invite everyone to come and experience the natural beauty and historical wonders that our award-winning parks have to offer.”
The Caldicot Links active travel scheme is designed to create an integrated network of shared use routes, linking existing and planned residential areas around east Caldicot to local destinations and public transport. The aim is to enable residents to use active travel for local trips and to connect to the wider Severnside active travel and public transport networks, through the construction of high quality and accessible routes for walking, wheeling and cycling.
Caldicot Active Travel Links scheme
Caldicot Links scheme focuses on the north and east of Caldicot. The scheme is broken down in to three different sections* (see plan below):
Phase 1: Running along the route of the old ex-Ministry of Defence Dinham railway line, from just south of the Cornfield at Portskewett, to level with Caldicot Castle Country Park.
Phases 2 & 3: From level with the country park northwards to Crick, crossing the northeast Caldicot RLDP sites.
Phase 4 – Multi User Route: Running through Caldicot Castle Country Park connecting up with the Caldicot Links and the B4245 at its eastern end and linking into Church Road (and on to Caldicot Town Centre) at its western end.
*Sections of the scheme are being brought forward as funding and other constraints permit, i.e. not necessarily in numerical order.
Current progress
Phase 1: Main construction work is now completed, with some minor works still to be completed in autumn 2024 which include: tree planting, landscaping, lighting and signage.
You are welcome to use this section of the new Caldicot Links active travel route for walking, wheeling, and cycling. Please note that this route is not being promoted as accessible to all users at this time and represents the first stage in delivering a complete connection from Portskewett to Caldicot.
Please note the following:
Caldicot Castle Country Park: There is currently no formal hard-surfaced path connecting this tarmac path to the Country Park tarmac service road. Users wishing to continue into the Country Park will need to use informal grass paths, which have uneven surfaces, slopes, and gates.
Elderwood Parc: There is no onward connection from the top of the ramp into Elderwood Parc due to the housing development still being under construction.
Picture: Caldicot Links phase 1, before and after.
Phases 2 & 3: MCC appointed consultants have undertaken a study of the options available for developing the route north and east of the Country Park, considering the key opportunities and the constraints of this area. MCC is now progressing the next steps with developing this section.
Phase 4 – Multi User Route: Consultants are being appointed to progress the design and permission work up to pre-construction stage for a proposed new active travel route running from the northern end of the Links Phase 1 through the eastern side of Caldicot Castle Country Park to join the existing country park tarmac road just east of the Nedern brook. Additional separate assessment work is being undertaken to look at the onward connections to both the east and west.
Why focus on north and east Caldicot?
This scheme looks to improve sustainable access to services, shops, and sites of education and employment around Caldicot. Trip generation related to the planned residential development to the east and north of Caldicot, as well as the need to mitigate congestion related to local employment sites and the newly toll-free Severn bridges gives extra impetus to the scheme, as this is an opportunity to make active travel the preferred mode for local trips for old and new residents alike.
The phased Caldicot Links scheme focuses on the east of Caldicot, including linking to housing developments off Church Road and Crick Road, to ensure that current and future residents have accessible, healthy and sustainable transport options, to minimise and manage the road traffic impact of a growing population and to direct residents and visitors into the town centre as a local destination.
Below is a detail of our Active Travel Map for Caldicot, showing the time it would typically take to travel in the local area. The local development areas, shown in brown, will include parcels of green space (i.e. the indicated sites include areas that will not be built up):
What is active travel?
Active travel is a term used to describe walking, wheeling or cycling to a destination, which the Active Travel Act (Wales) 2013 calls “purposeful journeys”. It does not cover trips taken purely for leisure although it could significantly enhance leisure activities by helping to link up networks. Active travel can be used to get to school, work, services and shops, or as one of several modes on a longer journey – for example, walking to the station to catch a bus or train. Monmouthshire County Council (MCC)’s active travel strategy focuses on journeys of three miles or less, which means improving walking and cycling infrastructure within communities and between close-by settlements such as Caldicot, Portskewett and Crick, so that active travel can be the natural choice for local journeys. MCC also aims to improve active travel links to public transport, to support sustainable travel across the county.
How is the Caldicot Links scheme funded?
The Caldicot Active Travel links and Multi-user route will be funded through Welsh Government grants aimed at improvements to sustainable transport modes.
How will the removal of trees along active travel path route be mitigated?
In the construction of Links Phase 1, trees and vegetation have been cleared to make way for the path and its access ramps. Additional tree clearance was also required in response to ash dieback being present on site and was combined to be more cost effective. The amount of clearance was only that which was required to ensure the old railway line is safe for current users and to enable the construction of the Active Travel route while safeguarding wildlife on site. Once construction is complete, compensation planting of native trees and shrubs will introduce a more varied and resilient tree canopy bringing a net benefit for local biodiversity after the intervention.
The improved active travel routes are expected to increase local walking, wheeling and cycling opportunities, which should have a long-term positive impact on the environment and local biodiversity as described by Welsh Government’s Active Travel Act Guidance.
Why can’t cyclists use the road?
Many short car trips could be made by active travel instead. Perceived danger from road traffic is a key barrier preventing more people taking up active travel, and low levels of cycling despite the comprehensive road network demonstrate that cycling in the road is not a practical option for many. This scheme takes the opportunity to improve the accessibility of off-road routes which are more likely to offer an attractive and safe alternative to driving for a broader range of people, building the appetite for active travel whilst cutting the number of short trips made by car.
Starting from 22nd January, Monmouthshire County Council will begin work on a new active travel route, the Williams Field Lane to Monnow Bridge Active Travel Route.
This project is funded by the Welsh Government Active Travel Fund and Core Active Allocation Fund, and it aims to develop a brand-new active travel route in Monmouth.
This route is a crucial part of the comprehensive Active Travel network. It will provide direct access to Monnow Bridge and the services and facilities within the town centre. The path will connect Williams Field Lane to Monmouth town centre via Wonastow Road and Drybridge Street. It will also provide connections from Rockfield Road skatepark to the town centre.
The work being undertaken will see a number of changes along the route. They include:
Widening the existing footway on the northern side of Wonastow Road to accommodate a shared-use footway/cycleway (two lanes for traffic will be maintained).
Replacing the existing Wonastow Road/Rockfield mini-roundabout with a priority junction (T-junction).
Providing a pedestrian crossing on Wonastow Road and Rockfield Road.
Widening the existing footway on Rockfield Road from the new priority junction to Monmouth skatepark. Two-way traffic will be maintained, and bus stops will be unaffected.
Widening of a short section of the existing footway along Drybridge Street near the Monnow Bridge roundabout
Removing sections of on-street parking along Wonastow Road to deliver the route in line with the Active Travel Act Guidance.
The work is expected to last for 12 weeks, with an aim to finish by mid-April 2024. This route will provide links to education settings, such as Overmonnow Primary and Monmouth Comprehensive, and be a pivotal link to the town centre and its facilities. The works will require temporary traffic light controls and have been arranged, taking into account other planned roadworks in the area to minimise impact.
Monmouthshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change and the Environment, Cllr Catrin Maby, said: “This is an exciting step in the progress of an Active Travel Route in Monmouth. The widening of footways will provide a safer route for cyclists and walkers as they travel around Monmouth.”
Monmouthshire County Council is recruiting new members for the Monmouthshire Local Access Forum.
The Local Access Forum advises the Council, Natural Resources Wales and other organisations on improving public rights of way and green spaces in Monmouthshire.
These are voluntary positions to advise on countryside access issues and help support improvements to local access.
Although members are appointed on a personal basis, according to their knowledge, skills and experience of accessing the countryside, we are particularly interested in hearing from prospective members who have excellent and active connections with relevant local organisations, partnerships, and interest groups.
The Forum looks to balance the interests of landowners and land managers, all types of access users and those representing other interests, such as health, access for all and conservation. We are looking for members to bring a wide range of expertise and interests, which can support Monmouthshire County Council’s commitment to improve access to the countryside.
The Forum is part of the Countryside & Rights of Way Act 2000 requirements to advise on improving public access for open-air recreation and the enjoyment of the area and to advise and assist with implementing the Countryside Access Improvement Plan. It consists of between 12 and 22 members. Members are appointed for three years. Meetings are typically held quarterly.
As part of the Welsh Government’s Active Travel Fund 2023/24, Monmouthshire County Council has received £6.99million for this financial year, the highest allocation in Wales. This comes after successive years of increased funding for strategic projects across the county, echoing the commitment Monmouthshire has made towards enabling people to walk, wheel and cycle instead of using their car.
Monmouthshire County Council has also received £500k in core funding, which is to be used for the design and development of the Wye Bridge and Wyesham Links projects, and for smaller projects around the county, focussing on minor improvements to Active Travel routes, bringing them up to the required standards.
Active Travel is the term used for getting around via walking, cycling and wheeling (which includes wheelchairs and mobility scooters), instead of by car for short everyday journeys, such as going to school, work or shopping. Monmouthshire has a ten-year plan for improvements across the county, which has been divided into specific projects.
In Abergavenny the newly announced funding will see the Phase 1 construction of a new pedestrian and cycle bridge across the River Usk about 50 metres east of the existing road bridge. The crossing between Castle Meadows and Ysbytty Fields will make it healthier and safer for walkers and ‘wheelers’ to get into town and to the railway station. It will mean that residents will be able to travel from Llanfoist into Abergavenny to work, to school or to appointments, without having to walk alongside cars and lorries. Visit www.monlife.co.uk/outdoor/active-travel/abergavenny/ to find out more about this exciting project.
In Caldicot the Active Travel route will utilise the disused railway line turning it into a new walking and wheeling route. It will provide a car-free link between Caldicot Castle and Country Park to Church Road that will take people through the countryside and away from the roads. It will also enable local people working at Mitel, Castlegate business park and Seven Bridge Industrial Estate to travel off-road from their neighbourhood to work. For more information visit www.monlife.co.uk/outdoor/active-travel/caldicot/
In Monmouth the funding will see the continued development of a foot and cycle bridge across the Wye progress. The bridge which has received support from many residents is currently in the planning stage. It will provide a safe route from Wyesham into Monmouth for students heading to school. It will also be a benefit to anyone wanting to travel to work or appointments safely, away from the cars and lorries on the busy Wye road bridge.
Also in Monmouth, the Williams Field Lane Links scheme is going ahead. It will see major improvements to the pedestrian and cycling route from Williams Field Lane to Monnow Bridge, making it easier and safer to travel into the centre of the town at any time of day and any time of the year. There will also be a new crossing across Wonastow Industrial Estate, as part of the wider scheme connecting Kingswood Gate to the heart of Monmouth. For more information about the Monmouth projects visit www.monlife.co.uk/outdoor/active-travel/monmouth/
Cllr. Sara Burch, Cabinet Member for Inclusive and Active Communities, said: “This is fantastic news for the county and highlights the steps Monmouthshire is taking to encourage more people to support Active Travel and leave the car at home. Soon we will start seeing large projects beginning to be delivered on the ground, which will help decarbonise our transport, one journey at a time. We are committed to working with the Welsh Government to deliver our shared vision – a Wales where walking and cycling are the safe and normal choice for local trips.”
“These Active Travel schemes have been developed and shaped by the needs of our communities, who we are continually engaging and listening to. We’ve been hearing from people for many years who about the need for inclusive, accessible routes. Today marks a big step forward to delivering this for Monmouthshire and its communities.”
“This total funding of £7.49million is the largest ever Active Travel award achieved by Monmouthshire County Council from Welsh Government, demonstrating its commitment to improving walking, cycling and wheeling routes within the county. Previous awards included £3.9million in 22/23, £3million in 21/22 and £1.8million in 20/21.”
Work starting on ‘green’ enhancement of Castle Street car park in Abergavenny
As
part of plans to improve ‘green infrastructure’
– the term used to describe the creation of a network of natural
and semi-natural features, green spaces, rivers and lakes that intersperse and
connect villages and towns – across the county,
Monmouthshire County Council has been working on plans to create green
corridors through Abergavenny. Work will commence early April on enhancements
at Castle Street car park,
which will see the planting of additional native trees and wildflower species.
The project is designed to support connectivity with other green spaces
in the town centre.
Works are
expected to take approximately one week to complete, dependent on site
conditions. Small sections of the car-park around the planting installation
will be temporarily closed off, but Castle Street car park will still remain
open for all users. Monmouthshire County Council apologises for any potential
inconvenience during the works, and it is hoped that everyone will enjoy the
completed planting when next using the car park.
Planting will
include rowan and field maple trees in wooden planters, and native wildflower
turf on existing amenity grassland. Wildflowers such as autumn hawkbit, betony,
birdsfoot trefoil, bladder campion, cats ear, common knapweed, common sorrel,
common vetch, common toadflax, crested dogstail and sheep’s fescue
grasses, will grow in these wildflower areas. These additional native
wildflowers and trees will provide more food and habitats for birds and
insects, and benefit our pollinators such as bumblebees, honey bees and
butterflies, which are already supported by the Council’s pollinator friendly grassland
management.
The new trees
and wildflower meadows will also reduce carbon
emissions through the storage of carbon, and so help in addressing the issues
of climate change. The planting will also support ecosystem resilience,
improve water quality, and support general well-being in the town for both
residents and visitors.
Following
public consultation all respondents supported the aspiration to enhance green
corridors across Abergavenny. Ideas proposed have been incorporated where
feasible into the current proposals for Castle Street and will be taken on
board for future projects.
Spring is officially here and Monmouthshire County
Council’s grounds team are about to start preparing the county’s open spaces
for the year ahead.
At the end of last year, the council’s team left some areas
for hibernation sites for insects, left seed heads for winter food, as well as
other wildlife-friendly considerations. Now, as we head towards summer, the
council will be following the selective mowing regime that was such a success
last year. This will start with a ‘first’ cut that will see most areas mown to
reset the grassland. After this, successive mowing will follow the Nature Isn’t
Neat principles to make space for wildlife and pollinator plants in open spaces
across Monmouthshire. This includes not mowing under trees (which will reduce
stress and disease), creating meadow spaces throughout our open spaces and road
verges. Some areas will be cut less frequently or on rotation, and some
areas will be left until late summer or early autumn to allow the grasses and
flowers to set seed.
A
spokesperson for Monmouthshire County Council said: “The feedback we received
about Nature Isn’t Neat showed overwhelming support of the approach and offered
some valuable insights on what was working well and where we can improve.
Taking account of this feedback, discussions with our operational crews and the
reduced impact of Covid on our ability to manage the work, residents will see
some changes to the mowing this year compared to the last two years and we will
continue to take feedback, and we will continue to make sure that play areas
and sports pitches are cut to the full extent.”
Nature
Isn’t Neat is an important part of the council’s response to the biodiversity
crisis and climate change. The management principles help pollinators and other
insects to thrive. This in turn supports other wildlife and improves long
term food security. The changes in management also increase the amount of
carbon drawn down into the soils and increases the ability of open spaces to
absorb water, reducing runoff, flooding and pollution and makes our environment
more resilient.
While most council owned green spaces will receive the
Nature Isn’t Neat approach, some areas are owned by housing associations and
not all of these have adopted the Nature Isn’t Neat approach, although they are
mown by the council under contract. It is hoped that more organisations will
get onboard with the selective mowing regime through the support of the
regional Nature isn’t Neat project, and help the county’s mission to improve
biodiversity and support wildlife.
If
you would like to get involved, a new Nature isn’t Neat survey will be launched
in May, Monmouthshire want to know what you think about its approach to ensure
the right balance is maintained between nature and recreation. For more
information visit: www.monmouthshire.gov.uk/nin/ and www.monlife.co.uk/outdoor/nature-isnt-neat/o.uk/outdoor/nature-isnt-neat/
or follow @MonmouthshireCC and @Natureisntneat on social media channels.
The Gwent Green Grid Partnership, a new
ground-breaking project, aims to improve and develop green infrastructure – a
term used to describe the network of natural and semi-natural features, green
spaces, rivers and lakes that intersperse and connect villages, towns and
cities – as well as provide green job opportunities within the area.
Green infrastructure has a crucial role to play in addressing nature, climate
change and health emergencies.
Monmouthshire County Council, working
with Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly, Newport and Torfaen councils as well as Natural
Resources Wales, Forest Research and the Severn Wye Energy Agency, leads the
partnership. The organisations will work together to ensure that the
area’s natural resources are healthy, resilient to pressures and threats and
thereby better able to provide vital health and well-being benefits for current
and future generations.
The Gwent Green Grid Partnership will
bring to life the Gwent Public Service Board’s commitment to implementing the
Well-being Of Future Generations (Wales) Act and the Environment (Wales) Act
through improved collaboration with partners, involving local citizens and
delivering across all seven well-being goals.
The project will deliver a range of
well-being benefits for local communities and plans to make improvements to
green spaces, urban and country parks, cycleways and public rights of
way. It will facilitate better woodland management and creation and take
action to protect and enhance vital habitats for pollinators. The
partnership will also explore better management of natural spaces to
provide opportunities which deliver preventative health-focussed activity.
Councillor Lisa Dymock, Monmouthshire’s
cabinet member with responsibility for green infrastructure said: “I very much
welcome the establishment of the Gwent Green Grid Partnership, bringing
together Gwent’s local authorities and three other organisations to protect and
improve our natural environment while providing opportunities for the area’s
communities.”
The project is supported by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development: Europe Investing in Rural Areas and is funded by the Welsh Government’s Enabling of Natural Resources and Well-being Grant.
For more information about this partnership, click HERE.
As part of our Green Infrastructure (GI) service, the Gwent Green Grid Partnership has contributed to many of the milestones outlined in the following report:
