THE next phase of plans to build the world's longest pedestrian rope bridge could start soon.

Over the past few months, planning has been ongoing to build the bridge over the River Tees, in Barnard Castle, County Durham.

The £4.5m scheme is being co-ordinated by Teesdale Marketing, a not-for-profit company set up to promote the dale and local businesses.

The chairman of Teesdale Marketing, restaurateur Bill Oldfield said: "There has been sensitive negotiations with people like landowners, and the next stage will be a public consultation as part of a planning application.

"I cannot really say when this will take place as it is not like running a business, but I would hope some time in the next few months."

The plans involve the construction of a 550ft rope bridge at a height of 150ft between two abutments from a demolished railway viaduct.

As well as the bridge, the plans include a car park, visitors' centre and a woodland adventure experience.

A commercial feasibility study into the scheme said it could attract 165,000 visitors a year into the area.

This could bring an estimated £1.15m into the local economy and generate 87 jobs.

However, there has been criticism of the scheme from some residents, who said it might affect the environment and interfere with the nearby golf course.