CONCERNED members of the rallying community in Gwent have spoken of their fears following new proposals by Natural Resources Wales (NRW).

The Welsh Government funded environment agency announced last week they plan to increase the annual cost of using forest roads to Wales Rally GB organiser the Motor Sports Association (MSA), from £339,000 to £655,000.

No rallying takes place in Gwent, but it is held nearby in the Forest of Dean and across the Brecon Beacons, just north of Ebbw Vale.

Pontypool’s Rally Weld Fabrications rely on rallying and owner Sean Edwards, said the business would be significantly hit.

“It is such a big amount," said the 50-year-old. "There has been other issues with using NRW roads before with some stages being totally cancelled last year.

“The charges will make people think twice on whether they can afford to rally and organisers won’t be able to break even, it will really hit us.

"There is barely any large profit in the sport and it’s clear the NRW just don’t want us using the roads.”

Monmouth Landrover workshop owner Paul Gunter added: “We’ll lose a big part of our business. If they increase the cost I may do less rallying but others will just pull out.

“Over a third of people will likely stop, without whom it wouldn’t be affordable for the rallies to run. Because it also hasn’t be fully confirmed, organisers don’t know if they will or won’t be able to run later on in the year so things need to be sorted.”

Natural Resources Wales has there is ‘significant discrepancy' in the amount it costs to prepare and reinstate forest roads and fees paid by the MSA.

But John Freeth of Monmouth’s Performance Braking, said: “The amount of money events bring in for local businesses are key and I could see our customer’s just ceasing to do it which will cause us real problems.”

Ebbw Vale rally legend Nicky Grist has called for the Welsh Government to step in, and believes NRW could cost Wales nearly £13 million if the plans are agreed.

He called it "disastrous" for associated businesses in Torfaen, Monmouthshire and Blackwood.

Ex-world rally winning co-driver Mr Grist, said: “The whole thing stinks, they said the cost covers before and after rallies, but any damage before a rally is from their own vehicles and trucks.

“I fear for all the businesses who rely on people involved in rallying and their enthusiasm. These are people who compete locally on little money for the pure love of the sport and cannot cover this increase. It won’t affect big cities but small rural businesses.”

The MSA have said ‘the increase would be unworkable for Wales and the many local communities that benefit from the sport’.

MSA chief executive Rob Jones said: “Discussions are continuing and we remain confident of reaching an agreement with NRW as soon as possible.”

A NSW spokesman said: “In 2015 the MSA paid NRW £339,000 in stage rally charges, including flagship event Wales Rally GB, but the cost in preparing and reinstating the roads used was £655,000. The agreement expired in 2015, but we agreed to hold the existing charge until May 2016 at MSA’s request, to provide further opportunities for discussion.”