PRESSURE is building to have a multi-purpose marina constructed in Newport's Crindau district.

The scheme's backers are lobbying hard to have it incorporated into Newport Unlimited's masterplan for the regeneration of the city.

A green light would offer some consolation to those disappointed by the abandonment of the Newport barrage scheme.

Crindau Marina would link the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal with the River Usk, and would resemble a smaller version of Albert Dock, in Liverpool, or St Katharine's Dock, in London.

The boat moorings would be surrounded by stylish bars, shops, hotels and flats.

Like Brecon, 42 miles away at the other end of the Mon-mouthshire and Brecon Canal, the marina would be a destination or starting-point for canal traffic.

It would also be a centre for seagoing and River Usk pleasure craft and would feature ships' chandlers, fuelling and repair facilities.

It would be connected to the Usk via lock gates on the Crinder Pill. This is the name for the stretch of water where Malpas Brook pours into the river.

The idea, backed by the Monmouthshire, Brecon and Abergavenny Canal Trust, British Waterways and the Monmouthshire Canal Reg-eneration Scheme, almost reached fruition in 2000.

Then, according to canal trust chairman Chris Morgan, hopes were dashed when Newport council back-tracked on an agreement to develop the marina and voted to use funds set aside for it on residential schemes in the Rodney Parade area.

A source within the council said the scheme was not actually rejected, but shelved because there was just £2 million in the kitty at the time, and over £5m was needed to do the job.

Newport council's official line on the scheme is that it's an interesting proposal which will be considered within the context of the regeneration masterplan.