After many years of planning, the dream of a Middle Passage monument in Bermuda is finally edging towards reality.

For the past few years, the 15-foot stainless steel structure has been sitting in St. Croix, in the US Virgin Islands, as discussions have continued over its transportation to the Island.

It is designed to commemorate millions of slaves who died crossing the Atlantic, serving as a permanent reminder of the mistakes of history while highlighting the need to fight against modern day slavery.

The plan has been in the pipeline since an identical monument was lowered to the bottom of the ocean in a ceremony which attracted global attention eight years ago.

Organisers say this year's celebrations of the bicentenary of the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act ¿ including a memorial service at the Cathedral ¿ have helped paved the way for a lasting tribute to be brought to the Island.

It is now hoped the monument ¿ which takes the form of two overlapping arcs, symbolising the need for the past, present and future to converge ¿ can be delivered in the early part of next year, possibly March.

The project is the brainchild of international group Homeward Bound Foundation, which wants to set up similar monuments in a host of other countries which were affected by slavery.

It is being spearheaded in Bermuda by The Emperial Group of Companies, which incorporates Spanish Town Entertainment.

"For a long time, it has been as if the events of the past have been swept under the carpet in Bermuda," Emperial group spokesman Gavin Smith said recently.

"A lot of people I have spoken to feel it's about time (the project went ahead)."

Support for the concept has already come from Bishop of Bermuda Ewen Ratteray, who said yesterday: "We have to recognise what happened and this would be something visible and tangible that people would be able to relate to." Glenn Fubler, co-chairman of community group Imagine Bermuda 2009, also backed the plan.