PLANS for a footbridge over the River Usk connecting Abergavenny and Llanfoist are expected to be given the go-ahead next week.

After two years of discussion, Monmouthshire county councillors have recommended approval for ambitious plans to build a walking and cycling footpath around 100m downstream of the existing Abergavenny bridge.

A meeting of the council’s planning committee, set for Tuesday October 2, will decide whether the proposals get the green-light, in midst of some opposition from local groups.

Recommended for approval is a 60m footbridge combining a three-metre-wide footway and cycleway built from steel beams covered in rain-screen timber cladding, and complete with anti-slip coating across the walkway.

A council report says that access to the proposed bridge will be improved by a 100m permanent footpath stretching from the existing access gate on Merthyr Road, to the existing footpath along the northern bank of the River Usk. ??Plans reveal that the current footpath and National Cycle Route will be widened and resurfaced.

The design has taken environmental and visual impacts into account, wherein the height of the bridge has been designed to be above usual flood levels with a consideration made for future climate change effects. ??Planning documents also detail both opposing and supporting voices. National Resources Wales admitted harbouring “significant concerns” with the current proposal, adding that the body would object to the plans unless issues regarding flood management, consideration of protected species laws (namely bats) and environmental management plans were aligned with their own requirements.

David Davies, MP for Monmouth, welcomed the plans. “Residents have been campaigning for this for many years. I am delighted that at long last it looks as though it is going to be built.”

Supporting voices published in the council documents point to the ‘dangerous’ aspects of the existing bridge, adding that burgeoning traffic spurred by recent major developments in Llanfoist has added to the danger. ??

One resident said “crossing the bridge on the footway is particularly terrifying if accompanying young children” due to the narrow nature of the passing and the level of traffic. ??

Meanwhile others have opposed the plans saying the bridge was “a waste of money” with others suggesting the lack of lighting would render the bridge unusable after dark. ?

?“The bridge would be a temptation by youths to jump off during the summer months, causing unnecessary risk to life,” said another.

Ahead of next week’s meeting, a spokesperson for Natural Resources Wales said, “We were consulted by the planning authority in relation to the likely environmental effects from this development proposal.

“Our response raised significant concerns about how flood risk at the site will be managed to an acceptable level, and the insufficient information provided about how the impact on bats as a European Protected Species will be mitigated.

“We advised the planning authority it should only grant planning permission if the scheme can meet certain requirements and conditions in relation to our concerns, including ensuring there is a plan in place to protect the River Usk and the water environment during construction.”

An Abergavenny Town Council spokesperson, said, “The town council has given its support to the construction of this bridge which will provide a safe crossing for pedestrians and cyclists alike and reduce the need to walk and cycle across the current bridge which is quite frankly an unpleasant experience.

“We look forward to more details on how pedestrians and cyclists will safely access the bridge from the Abergavenny and Llanfoist side.

“The town council would like to see more people walking and cycling in Abergavenny and construction of this bridge will be a major step forward and is long overdue.

“Our thanks to Monmouthshire County Council for continuing to promote this bridge and to eventually secure the necessary funding.”