PLANS for developing a Chepstow bypass have been given a shot in the arm with the backing of a senior Cabinet Member from the UK Government.

Fresh from setting out plans to develop an economic ‘Western Powerhouse’ between south Wales and the South West of England, Secretary of State for Wales, Alun Cairns MP, paid a whistle-stop visit to Chepstow to back the calls by local councillors to accelerate the plans for a Chepstow Bypass, to ease traffic congestion and boost growth on both sides of the border.

Commenting on the visit, Cllr David Dovey, County Councillor for St Kingsmark and chair of MCC’s Strategic Transport Group, said: “I know all the local councillors will welcome this support from the Secretary of State and it demonstrates the UK Government is taking the idea of developing regional capacity very seriously.

“As chair of the local authority’s Strategic Transport Group, we have been examining how to improve and expand connectivity not just within the wider Cardiff Capital City Region but with Bristol, Gloucester and the South West as well.

“Improving public transport is a fundamental part of that but it’s clear that the A48 passing through Chepstow is a pinch-point and is having a detrimental impact on commuters and residents alike.

“Highway officers from Monmouthshire and Gloucestershire Councils are currently conducting a feasibility study and cost-benefit analysis, so progress is being made but we need senior politicians from both Westminster and Cardiff Bay to back the plans to give them momentum.”

Monmouthshire County Council has begun to review its Local Development Plan three years earlier than scheduled to address a number of issues including the lack of affordable houses being built. The strategic scrutiny of the review process will be undertaken by the Council’s Economy and Development Select Committee, chaired by another Chepstow Councillor, Cllr Paul Pavia.

He said it was critical Welsh Government Minister’s engaged early in the process to back the scheme because it had to be a cross-border project, funded by both governments. He added: “This is a very positive intervention by the UK Government. It was evident from speaking with Mr Cairns that he has had initial discussions with Secretary of State for Transport to see how the UK Government can make a bypass work.

“Residents in my ward who live on Hardwick Hill are disproportionality impacted by the poor air quality due to congestion. Moreover, it’s clear that when an accident or incident happens there is no capacity in the current system to alleviate the pressure.

“There is of course, wider need for more affordable housing and business development in the south of the county and Chepstow will have to play its part in meeting that demand.

“However, I think it’s going to struggle to do that until the road infrastructure is significantly improved and for me, this is the best option moving forward but it requires cross-border support; yet to this point, Welsh Ministers have been silent on bypass plans.

“They need to engage now because without their backing the project is a complete non-starter.”