MORE money looks set to be ploughed into a scheme to connect Caldicot town centre with its new supermarket, subject to senior councillors giving the plan the go ahead.

The budget for connecting the Asda store, which opened in October, and other shops could soar to the full £200,000 that was given to the council by the supermarket chain for access and environmental improvements between Newport Road and their site.

The scheme was planned to be finished for the supermarket’s opening but has been beset by a number of delays. Plans were further postponed over Christmas and New Year so businesses were not disrupted by other potential building works.

Monmouthshire council originally allocated £25,000 for the scheme’s design, but now officers want to give the remaining £175,000 to fund its construction. The authority’s cabinet will make a decision on the plan at a meeting next Wednesday.

After a consultation, it was found plans to let lorries drive out onto Woodstock Way meant the designs had to be adjusted. A final planning application looks to be submitted by the end of this month.

Nearly 600 people viewed the linkage plans at the consultation last November and they were supported by 85 per cent of those who took part in it.

Because the route will cross private land, the scheme has suffered other delays for its final specification and other costs.

Caldicot Town Team has been involved with the discussions, and its chairman Aaron Reeks welcomed the proposal.

He said: “I am pleased the town is going to get what it deserves. It is a sensible proposal.”

He said most shops in Caldicot had been affected by the supermarket opening last October.

But he added that two business owners had told him they had recently enjoyed their most successful Christmas and New Year period in the town.

As part of the outlined plan, Waitrose’s car park will used a one-way system. The pedestrianised area outside the library and the One Stop Shop will also be extended.

The service road close to the town’s library will be joined to the new pavement and will only be open to service vehicles. Improvements to street lighting and new signage are proposed.