MONMOUTH'Snew Monnow Bridge came a step closer this week with the news that Environment Agency Wales have no objection in principle to the County Council's proposed site at location one or the new 2C site being promoted by the Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales.

The County Council had opted for location one, but the CPRW came up with a new site which they said would be more acceptable environmentally. Now there seems to be some backing for the new option from the Environment Agency.

Mr John Edwards of the CPRW said on Tuesday that he was very pleased that the Environment Agency accepted option 2C was equally valid in their terms.

"I hope this will encourage the County Council to choose the option which is best in environmental terms," he said.

The Environment Agency have now asked that the County Council undertake hydraulic analysis work on the two options before any planning and land drainage consents are applied for.

They also identify the existing river channel needs to be improved in the vicinity of the crossing to gain the support of the Agency.

In addition Environment Agency Wales stressed the importance of the ecological and archaeological aspects within the River Monnow at Monmouth, with guidance needed from the Countryside Council for Wales and Glamorgan Gwent Archaeological Trust on assessing whether there will be any significant effect on habitats and conservation matters.

The County Council is now planning to meet Cadw to discuss their requirements in relation to the setting of the bridge options against the existing mediaeval bridge and other works that need to be undertaken within the town's conservation area.

"The comments from the Environment Agency and from those bodies the Council has yet to meet will help us reach a decision on which of the options is to be taken forward as final design and the subject of a planning application," said Mr Jeff Martin, Corporate Director of Environment at Monmouthshire County Council.

"Ultimately members of the County Council's Environment Committee will need to review what the various agencies have said and decide on what is the best solution. We now need to focus on these issues and move on, if we are to improve access within the town centre and safeguard the future of Monmouth's heritage."