CHEPSTOW Bridge could be considered for World Heritage Status ahead of a special anniversary in 2016.

The bridge, also known as the Old Wye Bridge, will celebrate its 200 year anniversary on Sunday 24th July next year and preparations for the event are already in full swing.

Chepstow resident John Burrows conducted a presentation in front of the full meeting of Monmouthshire County Council (MCC) last Thursday (24th September) where he encouraged councillors to consider applying for World Heritage Status.

Mr Burrows described the bridge as “unique” and of “world significance” and urged the county council to embrace the celebrations taking place next July.

According to Mr Burrows the bridge was built at a crucial time in history. He explained that if Chepstow Bridge was designed and built five years later in 1820 it would have been an iron chain suspension bridge similar to the Union Bridge near Berwick on Tweed.

Mr Burrows invited councillors to play a part in the celebrations of the 200th anniversary, where Chepstow Festival will re-enact the original opening ceremony of 1816.

Mr Burrows said: “In next year’s ceremony I’m hoping county councillors will parade across the bridge in the same way they did 200 years ago.”

Councillors were urged to ensure works to the Old Wye Bridge are completed well before the ceremony. He said: “At the moment the bridge has scaffolding on it but it must end by the end of the year because we want to draw the attention of the world to the bridge.”