COUNCILS from both sides of the border have met to discuss transport issues in Chepstow.

With the announcement of the removal of the tolls on the Severn Crossing and the approval of hundreds of houses each side of the River Wye, concerns have been growing about the effect on traffic in the area.

As part of a move to tackle the issue, Monmouthshire County Council officers recently met with counterparts from Gloucestershire County Council and Forest of Dean District Council.

They discussed cross border transport and development issues including the potential of a Chepstow/Sedbury bypass.

The three councils have agreed that a pre-feasibility study will examine what needs to be done to meet future traffic growth in Chepstow, linking in with the Welsh Government’s studies on the impact of removing tolls on the Severn crossings.

Council members will be briefed shortly on the discussions and further meetings on the issue are planned in the near future.

Councillor Bryan Jones, cabinet member for county operations said: “I’m pleased that officers from our neighbouring authorities are meeting to discuss important cross-boundary transport issues.

“Traffic growth is a cause of concern to business and residents of Monmouthshire and working closely with adjoining authorities such as Gloucestershire will help to address some of these challenges and support a more resilient transport system within South East Wales.

“I look forward to further talks with these neighbouring authorities who also gain to benefit from a collaborative approach to transport issues within the region.”