AMBITIOUS plans to replace the demolished Severn bridge near Sharpness and to develop the village into a market town have been outlined today.

Gloucestershire 2050 – a partnership of the county’s biggest public sector organisations – has unveiled its six ‘big ideas’ aimed at ‘transforming the county’s national and international reputation’ by 2050.

Amongst them is a proposal for a multi-purpose Lydney-Sharpness bridge – relinking the two Severnside settlements which have been disconnected since the demolition of the rail bridge in the 1960s.

The idea has been mooted in the past with Stroud and Forest of Dean District Councils previously backing the idea.

Explaining the plan on the Gloucestershire 2050 website, a statement reads: “The new crossing would provide a catalyst to grow the town of Lydney and to develop Sharpness from a small village to a town.

“It would improve their links to existing transport routes through the county, and create a re-energised economic centre.

“Investment in Lydney and Sharpness would seek to create a single ‘destination’ spanning the river with distinctive areas both sides, reflecting their individual cultures, landscapes, and heritage; and inject new life through economic opportunities.”

It is hoped that the new bridge would benefit both tourism and business development in the area and grow Sharpness into a town.

The statement continues: “The new crossing would provide a catalyst to grow the town of Lydney and to develop Sharpness from a small village to a town.

“It would improve their links to existing transport routes through the county, and create a re-energised economic centre.

“Investment in Lydney and Sharpness would seek to create a single ‘destination’ spanning the river with distinctive areas both sides, reflecting their individual cultures, landscapes, and heritage; and inject new life through economic opportunities.

“As well as maximising the tourism potential of the area as an access point to the Forest of Dean and Severn Vale, it would also focus on enhancing employment opportunities and facilities for local people to both retain and attract young professional families.

“This would include housing, education, leisure, and health infrastructure, which would support those moving into the area to work at the new sites locally, as well as those commuting to the Super City, Cyber Park, and further afield.

“There would be a focus on business development on both sides of the estuary, with facilities for industrial units and incubation spaces to enable and encourage business start-up and expansion.

“This may be linked to the further development of the Berkeley site and its focus on renewable energy sources.

“The new crossing would be designed to be multi-purpose, to provide for multiple transport methods, and potentially provide a leisure facility with walking and cycling trails into the Severn Vale and Forest of Dean Regional Parks. Connection to the M5 would also be logical, transforming the quality of road access to the Forest of Dean.”

The potential expansion of the Sharpness area has also been supported by Stroud District Council through its local plan, with an earmarked 300-home and tourism development of the dock area submitted by the Canal and River Trust last year.

For more information on Gloucestershire 2050's plans for the county visit glos2050.com