PLANS to put a pedestrian bridge over the River Wye have reached the first phase with a working group formed by Monmouth Town Council to assess the need of ‘a Bridge For People Over The River Wye’.

Councillor Jane Lucas told Monmouth Town Council on Monday night (9th April) it has become increasingly difficult to negotiate the Wye Bridge, whether as a pedestrian or a cyclist, and three options are being looked at to provide a separate crossing specifically for pedestrian and cyclists all on the upper side of the present Wye Bridge.

One member of the working group has experience in bridge design and has drafted three designs at three different locations above the present bridge.

Monmouthshire County Council has offered £50k for a feasibility study to assess whether there is a public need for a such a crossing.

This will be in addition to the proposed scheme to add a third lane to the A40 which will see alterations to the pedestrian subway and footpath ramps. On the river side, the ramp out of the subway will curve around, eliminating the current 90 degree exit which, it is hoped, will improve safety for pedestrians.

On the bridge itself, the upstream footpath will be widened, while the downstream footpath will be narrowed.

A survey has already gone out to school children and another survey is now online for others so the council can assess which option to go for.

Members of the public are urged to complete the survey so that the next phase, the feasibility study, can progress.

You can complete the survey at goo.gl/sqFhq3 and click ‘submit report without registering’. The deadline for your response is Friday 19th May.

If anyone would like to join the working group, or has skills which they feel would help, contact Cllr Jane Lucas on [email protected]