The Government has approved plans for the new Walton Bridge.

Environment Secretary Hilary Benn gave the arch bridge design the green light on Monday after Surrey County Council approved the plans in January.

The new-look bridge is different from the previous scheme, with a priority T-junction at Cowey Sale, on the Walton-on-Thames side, instead of the previous half clover-leaf design.

The design is approved by most quarters but some people are still concerned about traffic congestion.

The new bridge design includes ramps from the existing viaduct to the riverside which will be full accessible to pedestrians, cyclists and horse-riders and segregated from the road.

Open views along the riverside will also be enhanced by extra spans.

Councillor David Munro said: "The backing from the Secretary of State is a solid endorsement of the hard work we have put into creating a design that meets the needs of the entire community."

The existing "temporary" road and pedestrian crossings will stay in place until the new bridge is built by 2014.