WORK to get Newport Transporter Bridge moving again is on track to start in January after the Assembly agreed a £800,000 cash injection.

Companies will begin tendering next October with the aim of restoration beginning in January with a completion date of August, well before thousands of visitors arrive in the city for the Ryder Cup.

Until it was closed in December 2007 for safety reasons, the iconic structure attracted interest from people all over the world.

The urgent need for work to get it working again was recognised by the city council and the Assembly which approved a bid for funding in less than a week, said a report to today's cabinet meeting.

Although the application was made separately because of the time issue, the Transporter Bridge refurbishment is part of a package of improvements to key gateways and routes into the city.

Costing millions of pounds and due to be completed before the Ryder Cup, they will form a lasting legacy to the city as a result of the sporting event.

Physical and environment improvements are set to be carried out at a number of important locations including landscaping at the M4 junctions at the Coldra and Tredegar Park, a new railway station footbridge and work to the former Rising Sun in Shaftesbury.

These have already been identified as priorities by the Assembly and are in the design process in readiness for immediate implementation, said the report.

Assembly bosses are due to make a decision on a project document this Thursday.

Funding of £1 million will come from the Newport Unlimited's budget for this year with a further £1 million next year as well as £1.8 million from the Assembly.