A MONMOUTHSHIRE bridge could cost more than £500,000 to repair if urgent action is not taken, council chiefs were warned.

The listed Pontnewydd Bridge, at Fforest Coalpit, near Abergavenny, suffered a part-collapse due to bad weather last year.

Monmouthshire councillor Giles Howard, cabinet member for highways, transport and sustainable development, told a highways meeting that the Pontnewydd Bridge was still in a state of disrepair almost a year after the partial collapse, and said it continued to be at risk.

He said: "I have formally written to Welsh historic monuments body Cadw to ask them to assist us in bringing this planning application to fruition. I am very afraid that the bridge will suffer similar weather conditions that caused it to collapse in the first place."

He said that he was aware that it would cost the county a substantial amount to repair the bridge in its present condition, but added that work should begin as soon as possible so that the costs incurred would not increase further.

Dave Harris, head of highways at County Hall, said that they had submitted a planning application that he believed would offer an economical solution to the problem.

Monmouthshire county council's solution would consist of a weight-bearing metal culvert to be installed underneath the bridge which would give it more strength. The cost of this action would be in the region of £150,000.

Mr Harris said: "Should the bridge collapse, it will increase the amount of money necessary to carry out the repair to half a million pounds and consequently that is more than we can afford."

He said that it was surprising that what little of the bridge remained had not fallen into the river, and that the council is anxious to start work on the bridge as soon as possible.