Action to regenerate Newport's city centre could start by Christmas, chairman of the ReNewport taskforce Simon Gibson said.

This follows the ‘Dragons’ Den’ style public consultation at the University of South Wales on Thursday, when people had 15 minutes to present their big ideas for the city centre.

A barrage across the Usk, suggested by a number of Newport residents, may again be a serious consideration if an M4 relief road is built as it could be incorporated with the necessary river crossing. Permanent high water level could allow for more riverside development and even a water-taxi to Caerleon, the panel heard.

Other ideas proposed were light-shows on buildings and the Transporter Bridge, a maritime museum celebrating the city’s history, perhaps incorporating the Newport Ship, and an official name-change to Casnewydd.

People can still submit their ideas on the ReNewport website as the taskforce of eight consider their recommendations on how to bring business back to the centre.

Mr Gibson, chief executive of Wesley Clover, said: “We’ll keep the consultation until the end of the month. We’re still taking meetings with various stakeholders.

“Some of the ideas we’re already moving on with. Yesterday we heard some things we could do almost immediately. What I’m going to do is make sure we can secure a bit of funding for them. Before Christmas I think we can get a number of these things going.”

The panel hope to issue their report to the Welsh Government by the end of October.

Funding may be available from the Welsh Government and European Commission, but local people can also start projects themselves.

Mr Gibson added: “I don’t think everything necessarily needs large amounts of money.”

A digital youth club, one of the ideas proposed to the panel, could start within weeks if volunteers can be mobilised.

Ideas taken forward will be unveiled in stages and Newport residents can look forward to a raft of different measures both big and small, aimed at re-energising the town.

- Videos of speakers at Thursday's presentation are due to be uploaded to the ReNewport website by today (MON)

What you think of the ReNewport project

Nicola Routley-Johnson posted on the Argus Facebook page: “The idea of a river taxi to Caerleon is great!”

James Bentley said: “It would be nice to have some way of accessing the river, a slipway or some smart pontoons. They've got a great river and virtually no one using it.”

But others expressed concern about the potential impact on local ecosystems a barrage could have.

Chris Southern said he would like to see markets in John Frost Square while a commenter on the Argus website said money should be spent on street cleaning.

To have your say, visit www.renewport.co.uk.