CITY bosses have agreed that work should be carried out to restore Newport's iconic Transporter Bridge back to operation.

Apart from some emergency journeys, the bridge has remained closed for more than a year because of the unsafe condition of high level rails that support the gondola.

A report on the situation was given to the cabinet in a closed session at the end of their last meeting.

It was decided to approve funding to an agreed maximum amount, which was not disclosed, to completely replace the rails on the top boom.

Members asked for the tender process to be extended to five bidders.

However, it was recognised that a more comprehensive refurbishment of the Transporter Bridge was required.

Last year Cllr David Atwell, cabinet member for transport and highways, revealed that the cost of all the necessary work could be more than £2 million.

At their meeting in December, the cabinet also agreed to engage with the public and businesses in a bid to secure funding towards the refurbishment.

Anne Gatehouse, chairman of FONTB (the Friends of Newport Transporter Bridge), said she was thrilled at the news.

She recognised that external funding would be needed to carry out further essential work adding that they would support the council's efforts.

"We are all for getting the bridge going again," said Mrs Gatehouse. "We have had so many people asking about coming to the bridge and we had to turn loads of people away last year."

The situation has also affected the group's fundraising efforts as they were unable to hold their regular open days in 2008.

Mrs Gatehouse felt the council were very committed to the future of the bridge. "The new cabinet member seems excellent and we have a very good working relationship."

FONTB, which has just celebrated its 10th anniversary, is a registered charity dedicated to the promotion and preservation of the grade one listed structure.