NEWPORT mayor Ken Critchley watched as work began on the construction of Newport's new £4.9 million Usk Bridge.

Contractors yesterday moved on to the bridge site - which is to be at the heart of the city centre regeneration plans.

They hope to prepare the site for the construction of the 67- metre-tall structure, which is due to be completed by May 2006.

The 145-metre-long bridge will link the east and west banks of the River Usk to allow people to travel quickly and safely between the two. Its design was selected in consultation with the local community by a competition run through the South Wales Argus.

The new Usk Bridge is a joint project led by Newport city council, the Welsh Development Agency and urban regeneration company Newport Unlimited.

Councillor Bob Bright, leader of Newport city council, said: "The new bridge will significantly improve access to the city centre from the east of Newport, reducing journey times by eight minutes for pedestrians and by two minutes for cyclists.

"It will be well-lit and will mean people no longer have to walk through dark subways at night.

"As well as leading people directly into Newport's shopping centre, it will encourage people to leave their cars at home and help create a city that is free of congestion and pollution."

Graham Moore, chief executive of Newport Unlimited, joined the city mayor at the site yesterday.

He said: "The new foot and cycle bridge will stand tall as a potent symbol of the city's regeneration.

"Making Newport accessible and creating a buzz in the city centre is a key part of the regeneration programme.

"The new bridge will enable an additional 3,000 people from east Newport to walk into the centre within just 20 minutes.

"It will help Newport embrace its waterfront and create a sense of Newport on Usk - as opposed to a city divided by its river."