any environmental damage.

Members of the National Trust's marine environmental committee are keeping a watching brief on work at the site, as the opening of the causeway approaches.

Once traffic is flowing today then work will start on the renovations of the famous Somerset Bridge.

Wayne Carey, chairman of the NT's marine environmental committee, said they were keeping an eye on the situation, with regard to any possible damage to marine life.

And he said they hope to be involved in consultations with the Works and Engineering Department when the causeway is removed, following the re-opening of the bridge.

"We would like to assist them in trying to avoid any impact,'' he said. "It is difficult but we would like to do what we can, we know there is going to be one but we would like to be consulted.'' Meanwhile, the Government has moved to quell fears about a possible roadway being constructed along the Railway Trail, close to Somerset Bridge.

Works and Engineering Minister C.V (Jim) Woolridge was responding to a worried Southampton resident, who claimed that it was planned to tarmac part of the trial, to join the causeway up with Middle Road.

Mr. Woolridge said there was no truth in any such rumours.

He said the only piece of tarmac would be where the temporary causeway re-joins Middle Road next to the Post Office, after bypassing the bridge.

In addition, he said workmen are also sinking cables underground in the same location, to avoid having overhead wires across Somerset Bridge, which could have been mistaken for road work.

Meanwhile, the planned opening of the causeway has been put back to this afternoon, due to a supply problem with the tarmac.

TRANSPORTATION TRA GOVERNMENT GVT