AN agreement has been reached to allow the Wales Rally GB to use Welsh forestry roads for the next three years.

There had been fears the event, which is a round of the FIA World Rally Championship, could have been in doubt due to a dispute between the Motor Sport Association and Welsh Government’s environment body, Natural Resources Wales (NRW) over fees for using forestry roads.

NRW has announced it and the Motor Sport Association have signed a new access agreement which will all the Wales Rally GB to use land it manages.

Tim Jones, Natural Resources Wales’ executive director of operations for North and Mid Wales, said: "The forest roads we look after have achieved almost legendary status in the world of rallying.

"With more than 84,000 visitors attending this event alone, it is clear that rallying makes an important contribution to our rural economy.

"We hope this new access agreement sends a positive message to the rallying community that NRW and the Motor Sport Association continue to have a good relationship, and are working together to ensure this important event in the Welsh sporting calendar takes place."

Earlier this year Powys council leader Barry Thomas wrote to the Welsh Government outlining his fears Wales Rally GB, and other rallies, could be lost to Wales as a result of the fees dispute.

The council leader warned that could hit the Powys economy: "The motorsport community has expressed deep concerns about these plans and have indicated a dramatic increase (in fees) could result in Wales, and in this case Powys, becoming unattractive for hosting rally events.

"This could force event organisers to move the events to England and Scotland."

Popular forest roads in Hafren, Myherin, Clocaenog and Dyfi are all looked after by NRW and will feature in the UK round of the FIA World Rally Championship this October.

Discussions are continuing between NRW, the Motor Sport Association and Rally4Wales around the stage rally mileage charges and all parties hope to confirm a successful conclusion in the near future.

Mr Jones added: "We are working hard to find a long term solution to the related matter of stage rally mileage charges. We will continue our discussions with the Motor Sport Association and Rally4Wales to find a solution that will allow fans to enjoy the sport, and ensure the forests of Wales are protected and maintained."

Rob Jones, the chief executive of the Motor Sport Association, said: "

“The new three-year access agreement confirms the confidence that MSA and NRW have in each other, and forms the essential platform for us to continue to focus on mileage charges and the wider partnership between our two organisations."

NRW said it has played a major role in supporting motor sport in Wales for many years, and has a successful working relationship with the association in staging events at every level of the sport.

NRW announced earlier this year that it needed to ensure that the cost of repairing forestry roads after rallying events was covered by the rally organisers.