GETHYN Davies, a local councillor, is calling for the historic Old Wye Bridge, that links Tutshill with Chepstow, to be rated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in time for its 200th anniversary this year.

If he succeeds, the graceful cast iron bridge, built in 1816, would join the ranks of the Taj Mahal, the Inca city of Machu Picchu, The Acropolis in Athens, Sydney Opera House and the Great Wall of China.

UK World Heritage Sites include Stonehenge, Westminster Abbey, Blenheim Palace, Canterbury Cathedral, the city of Bath, the Giant’s Causeway and the Forth Bridge.

Rubbing shoulder with such exalted company would make the local bridge a popular tourist attraction, boosting tourism revenue for the town and the Wye Valley areas.

Cllr Davies is now trying to consolidate support for the campaign from Cadw, the Welsh historic environment service, Monmouthshire County Council, the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Historic England and other bodies.

He said: “It is a beautiful structure and needs to have World Heritage status because it is such an important part of our history.

“I understand it is the only five span cast iron bridge in the world.

“Is is also an important historical link between England and Wales on the main road from South Wales to London and the west of England. One end of the bridge is in England and the other is in Wales.

“Although it is already Grade I listed, giving it World Heritage status would give it even more protection."

When it was built in 1816, it was the latest in a long line of crossing on the spot.

The original designs by eminent architect John Rennie who designed Waterloo Bridge, were considered too expensive and the job fell to John Rastrick from Bridgnorth.

Rastrick’s bridge was made of cast iron in five arches, with a centre span of 112 ft, intermediate spans of 69ft, and outer spans of 33ft.

The bridge was opened on 24 July 1816, amid an elaborate fanfare of publicity.