Walford Parish Council has spoken about their development plans for a River Wye canoe launch site.

Herefordshire Council recently paid £3,000 for the installation of a car park ticket machine at the site and the parish council will issue free parking permits for local residents.

The ownership of the Kerne Bridge canoe launch site was transferred to Walford Parish Council in 2016 and a company called Riversea Holdings Limited was the successful bidder to run its day to day management. The company wants to build a cafe on site, invest in a new floating pontoon and charge for parking but many residents felt they were being kept in the dark by the council about proposals for the site.

Councillor Eric Drummond, co-ordinator of the Kerne Bridge canoe launch steering group, told last week’s parish council meeting he wants the plans to be open to everyone.

He said: “The parish council will issue free permits for the inhabitants of Walford and special rates for fishermen who fish on the stretch of river adjacent to that. It will be advertised so that parishioners can come forward and get their free parking permit.

The parish council is also looking to work with Bishopswood Village Hall to reopen the public toilets and has contacted Natural England about how to manage the riverbank.