A DECISION on which of the location options for a second crossing over the River Monnow will now be taken by Monmouthshire County Council in April.
The Council has held talks with Environment Agency Wales and Cadw over the last year and has asked consultants Ove Arup to look again at whether a bridge can be built at location 2 before a decision is made.
Their assessment will test out various options that have been identified at location 2, which includes the Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales proposal at option 2 C.
The work will include looking at issues relating to Environmental Agency requirements, implications for adjoining land, implications on highway standards and traffic management, and any effects on residential and commercial premises on Cinderhill Street.
The Council's Corporate Director of Environment Jeff Martin said: "We are aware of the town's frustration in not seeing any visible progress on the bridge project.
"Since the last year we have moved forward as we have met with those bodies that will have a say in the planning and statutory processes.
"We hope that those organisations now have a better understanding of the bridge proposals when determining any future applications.
"We have asked for additional work to be undertaken by Ove Arup so that all of the issues are examined before we can make a recommendation to the County Council.
"The siting of a new crossing within the vicinity of an ancient bridge is an important conservation issue for the County Council, its townspeople and for Wales. That is why we need to know if a bridge can be built at option 2, to consider all of the requirements and to take a decision on which option will proceed to the planning stage."
Mr John Edwards of the CPRW said: "This is good news although I can't think what is wrong with CPRW's 2C. It is good to know that the County Council understand how important it is to find an alternative to the bridge at location 1.
"Now it is up to Ove Arup to justify the report."