Campaigners win footpath battle

More than 200 walkers took part in last October's demonstration

Villagers in a tiny Powys community have won their campaign for a "safe" footpath between their community and a nearby town.

The Welsh Assembly Government has unveiled plans for the 1.5m (2.4km) path after initially saying the route was not "appropriate".

People in Penegoes have been fighting for a footpath to Machynlleth, in Powys, for months.

Last October, more than 200 took part in a protest walk.

Following a meeting with Powys Council and the Mid Wales Trunk Road Agency, the assembly government said there was a "desire" to press ahead.

But it said "achieving the necessary funding within the programme would take some time".

We're delighted with the news, Julia Warren-Kyle

A timetable of work has not been agreed, but drawings and talks with landowners will begin shortly.

Campaigners said last year that a path and cycling route, which would run parallel with the A489, would enable those without cars to walk safely into Machynlleth, which has the nearest post office, supermarket and shops.

Julia Warren-Kyle from Penegoes Active Community action group said: "This seems a huge step forward for us.

"The strength of feeling has been influential and helped push this forward, and it seems it's something people want.

"We're delighted with the news, but I'm being a little bit reserved because there's still a long way to go."

Following its meeting with the other agencies, the assembly government said there was "a desire to establish the link and the project needed a way forward".

It said "preliminary investigations" and discussions with landowners would now take place, along with further design work.