A PROJECT to make the Mierystock Tunnel part of a cycle network has been given good news.

The plan was originally the brainchild of Frank Barnett, who is now 84, earlier this year a group was founded with the mission of re-opening the 19th century railway tunnel near Brierley.

Consultant engineer Tony Gee carried out an appraisal of the tunnel last week, when he was joined by Forestry England Deputy Gaveller for the Dean, Dan Howells.

The expert’s assessment was that it appeared to be ‘in a satisfactory condition with no major defects that would indicate prohibitive costs to improve the structure.”

The tunnel carries the busy main A4136 Forest to Monmouth road, which poses a danger to cyclists trying to cross it at Mierystock.

The tunnel project would link the Forest of Dean Family Cycle Trail with the Wye Valley and beyond.

Society members are planning to hold a launch event on Frank’s 85th birthday – at 12pm on Friday, June 24 in Ruardean FC clubhouse – to show the history of the Victorian railway tunnel and how Frank and his friends raised £50,000 through ITV’s People Millions in 2006 to clear the cutting on the north side.

There will also be a presentation by members of the Society on plans for the future.

Approaches are being made to the parish and town councils bordering this area – Drybrook, West Dean, Lydbrook, Cinderford – and the society will be looking to raise funds for feasibility studies taking in both structural, environmental, highways and other considerations.

John Grimshaw, of National Cycle Network custodians Sustrans, has been approached for his advice, as well as the Wye Valley Greenway group who successfully opened up Tidenham Tunnel in April last year.

The Greenway links Sedbury with Tintern along five miles of former railway line.

The kilometre-long tunnel is only open between April and September and has low-level lighting to protect the resident bat population.