NEWLY-ELCTED Islwyn AM Rhianon Passmore has thrown her support behind a campaign to re-open the scenic Cwmcarn Forest Drive to the public.

Campaign group the Friends of Cwmcarn Forest Drive has been lobbying

Caerphilly County Borough Council and Natural Resources Wales (NRW) to re-open the site once work to fell 150,000 trees to stop the spread of disease is completed. 

Labour AM Ms Passmore said: "Cwmcarn Forest Drive is a unique natural attraction in Wales.

“The potential could be immense.

“It is no exaggeration to say that this could be an intentional tourist hub.

“We know that people from across the globe want to experience first hand the wonder of the Welsh landscape."

She added she would be writing to Caerphilly council and NRW over the issue.

Rob Southall from the campaign group thanked Ms Passmore for her support.

“It is vital that we move forward with a plan for the future,” he said.

“There needs to be a commitment from the various bodies to forming a trust or other arrangements to give this wonderful area back to everyone."

NRW representatives said they had an 'open door policy' towards discussing the future of the drive at a public meeting earlier this year. 

The site has been closed since November 2014.