WILL this rain never stop? The torrential down pour over recent days has focused many people’s minds on the issue of flooding and areas around the UK and Wales that are prone to being inundated when certain circumstances conspire to coincide.

For example the Usk Valley is a possible flash point when already exceptionally high tides are matched to driving rainfall, already sodden ground and high winds.

Now, I’m not an expert on these matters but I do believe that the threat of floods along the flood plan over the River Usk could be very much reduced if a barrage were to be created to maintain a constant, ambient level of water in the river.

If that were indeed to be so then I believe it's something that planners should be considering while proposals for the M4 Relief Road are going through their various processes. The existing line of the proposed route for the road currently crosses directly over the River Usk in the vicinity of the Newport Docks. A barrage created in this area combining the road crossing would, in my view, provide a perfect solution I would have thought.

Meanwhile hopes remain high, despite poor trading results from Debenham's over the festive period, that the development at Friars Walk will finally get off the ground very soon. Demolition in John Frost Square has transformed the area into what’s more like a set for a Dr Who programme - now there’s a thought - and the new bus station is open and running.

The market after its face lift is looking good even if the actual trade space inside is a little thin in places. Perhaps, once the new bus station really gets motoring and more and more people venture back into the market, the place will really take off.

The Admiral Building at Queensway has its lights on and people appear to be at home. The terrific building is currently being fitted out with its first office workers due to take up their positions in May. That’ll add an injection of new life into the City of Newport just you wait and see.

The Richard Hayward scheme for the former Delilah’s Building opposite the former Railway Station buildings also on Queensway is set to get moving this year creating a sixty-bed Premier Inn hotel on a key site in the city centre.

It’s a positive sign that a concerted focus is being trained on the city of Newport. The hotel has the ability to act as a catalyst along with the Admiral Building, Friar's Walk and the revamped market, for further developments in the city. I also hear that there may some nascent interest in the former King’s Hotel to retain that as a place for people to stay.

On top of all this more tasty signings are being recorded for the Friars Walk scheme among them the upmarket fast food joint the Gourmet Burger Kitchen GBK is set to unfurl its colours.

GBK will be joined at Queensbury’s 390,000 sq ft shopping centre by already revealed Next, Topshop, anchor store Debenhams, Cineworld, Nandos, Frankie & Benny’s, Prezzo, Cosmo and Chiquitos.

Don’t say it too loud, as you know how a certain section of the ‘Port appears to dislike good news, but I really do have a warm feeling about 2014 for Newport and everything related to this great city of ours not the least of which are the prospects for The County, who, despite a hiccup or two of late, are still destined for great things come May.

Up the ‘Port