THE story of Chepstow’s Wye Bridge – suggested last week as a structure worthy of protection by special heritage status – is to be revealed to local history enthusiasts.

Forest of Dean district councillor Gethyn Davies (Con, Tidenham) has described the graceful 200 year-old cast iron bridge as so iconic and important it “must be preserved forever.”

Work on essential maintenance is drawing to a close and plans are being made to celebrate its bicentenary next year. Coun Davies wants county councils on both sides of the Wye to join forces and explore the possibility of making the bridge a World Heritage Site.

The history of the bridge, financed by council taxpayers in both Gloucestershire and Monmouthshire, will be outlined to members of the Forest of Dean Local History Society at their meeting in the West Dean Centre at Bream this Saturday (3pm).

The Society’s vice-president and former chairman, Averil Kear, will speak not only about the present bridge but its predecessors. In a talk entitled ‘Bridges of the Lower Wye Valley’, she will detail every bridge between Ross-on-Wye and the Severn estuary, including road, rail and pedestrian crossings.

Mrs Kear says the Wye Bridge has a fascinating history, only matched by its predecessors.

She said: “The bridge has always been a joint responsibility between Gloucestershire and Monmouthshire and in the past this has led to conflict. There was one occasion when work was carried out on the Welsh side but only to halfway, leaving a far from satisfactory bridge on the English side.”

The present refurbishment has cost over £700,000. Damaged cast ironwork has been repaired and the whole structure repainted.

The bridge is believed to be only the third in the world constructed in cast iron. It already has Grade I Listed status.

Saturday’s History Society meeting is open to guests.