A SECOND bridge will be built across the River Monnow in Monmouth - ending decades of controversy and debate.

The historic agreement - described as "the most important Planning decision" Monmouthshire county council has made - will see a new bridge built opposite Goldwire Lane.

Members of Monmouth-shire council's planning committee voted unanimously for the scheme, costing more than £1 million.

Planning chief George Ashworth said: "Serious plans for a bridge have been around since 1966, and we are delighted that the process has finally got to this point with permission being granted."

The approved design fits in with the street pattern already in Monmouth and marks the edge of the new town with the old.

Designed with a blend of old and modern, it will be the starting point in the regeneration of the town.

Mr Ashworth added the design was closer to that of the historic bridge, and said: "We had feared that a Environmental Agency decision might jeopardise the whole scheme, but they favoured this option."

The option was also backed by Monmouth town council, the Archaeological Society, Monmouth Action Group and the Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales.

Mr Ashworth added: "The area around the medieval bridge will be pedestrianised and will be enhanced to provide a grand entrance into Monmouth."

Councillor Olive Evans said Monmouth needed the new bridge to save the character of the town.

Councillor David Waring said: "This is the most important planning decision that Monmouthshire county council has made since it was formed in 1995." He thanked the officers on behalf of the people in Monmouth who have worked on the project.

John Edwards, vice chairman of the CPRW, said: "The council has listened to public opinion and the result is a victory for local democracy with all the groups pulling in the same direction."

Stephen Clarke, chairman of the Monmouth Archae-ological Society, added: "This decision has averted a disaster that would have been on the scale of the dual carriageway cutting Monmouth in two if they had not have changed their minds." Sue Chivers, secretary of Monmouth Action Group, said: "It is the result we have been waiting to hear."

Work on the new bridge will begin early next year.

*PICTURED: A model showing the new bridge and where it will cross the River Monnow.