THE increase in costs for the new Monnow Bridge of almost a million pounds has resulted in the flood alleviation scheme for the town being postponed.

Monmouthshire County Council has already diverted funding allocated to the renovation of Chepstow High Street to the Monnow Bridge project and now the council is to defer committing funding for the flood alleviation scheme planned for Wonastow Road and Drybridge Street.

Cllr Dick Cass said: "It is unfortunate that the cabinet has decided to shelve this project which is dear to our hearts in Monmouth - that is the flood relief scheme.

"The money to be spent this financial year was intended to employ consultants to prepare a scheme. At present it is thought the scheme could cost as much as one and a half million pounds but an accurate figure is yet to be determined."

Another complication to the flood relief scheme is that the Welsh Assembly were prepared to fund 85 percent of the cost, but this was based on a much lower figure and the funds were intended to be spent this year.

Monmouth AM David Davies said: "This is a disgraceful situation to be in as we have been repeatedly been assured by officers and councillors that there would be no problems with the timetable to start the project to solve the town's flooding worries.

"I have raised this issue on many occasions and was even accused of scaremongering in the spring, but now I believe I have been proved right and Monmouth will once again be left at the mercy of mother nature."

The cabinet decided in September that certain capital expenditure would be deferred until next year and that the finances available for the flood alleviation scheme and three other projects would be reviewed each month.

Allan Stevens, secretary for the Wye Flood Monmouth group which organised a flood forum in the town last month, said: "It is a set back, but being positive the town has only been badly flooded three times in ten years.

"However, It is a worry when water laps at the door, but hopefully this will not be the case this winter and nobody will be surprised that the project has been postponed."