 A picnic area and carpark will be built at the walkway |
A move to boost the economy of a mid Wales town, hit hard by job losses, has taken a step forward. A �200,000 scheme near Llanidloes to extend the walking route along Britain's longest riverside walk to the Hafren Forest is now reaching its final stage.
A new manager, Adrian Davies, has been appointed by Forestry Commission Wales to oversee the one kilometre extension to the 210-mile Severn Way, which will see a new walkway built.
The project is backed by community regeneration group, Llanidloes Ltd and partners who will provide significant additional facilities to support local tourism and diversification opportunities for the local agricultural industry.
The path will run from the upper edge of the Hafren Forest, four miles from Llanidloes, to the source of the Severn across a site of specific scientific interest.
Three shelters will also be built along Hafren Forest walk to improve the experience for all visitors and to cater for educational groups.
Generate income
Improved signage, interpretation boards and wooden sculptures will facilitate the car park location as the start of the walk and provide a link to Llanidloes town.
"I aim to maximise the benefits to visitors and countryside alike with improvements to the Severn river trail, with the new project helping to generate income for the local economy," said Mr Davies.
"This project aims to improve the attraction of Powys as a tourist destination in order to generate economic, and tourist benefits.
"These improvements encourage visitor relaxation, enjoyment and purchasing of local products, goods and services."
The Llanidloes economy was hit hard last year when 250 workers at the town's KTH car part plant closed down.
A regeneration plan has since been put in place which aims to create a broadband internet economy, redevelop the town's community centre and provide new business opportunities.
The programme will include a �2.4m scheme to build a new access road off the A470 by-pass to the site of the former KTH factory.
Llanidloes' Mayor, Edward Breeze, said: "This development will definitely bring more people into Llanidloes.
"It is vital that the route is well publicised so we can maximise the route's potential."
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This project aims to improve the attraction of Powys as a tourist destination in order to generate economic, and tourist benefits 
