WAYS to improve the safety of Chepstow road are to be trialled this month as part of a road’s ongoing safety study.

The A466 Wye Valley Link Road is currently undergoing the study from Welsh Government (WG) after a number of incidents on the road. Chepstow Town Council held a meeting last Wednesday (11th May) for an update on the study and what action will take place. The calls for improved safety on the road come after the widow of the late Gerald Russell, who was killed in a collision on the road last October, spoke out about the need for safety improvements to the road where he died in March.

A study is currently underway, with a range of potential safety improvements to the road being considered. These include the construction of a barrier in the central reservation, removing the lay-bys on the road and considering a change in speed limit.

It was revealed in the meeting that temporary signs are to be installed on the roadside to advise drivers of previous incidents and, it is hoped, prevent further injuries and fatalities. The signs, which will be installed in the next week, have been approved by WG and form a yellow background triangle with a black image and writing displaying a pedestrian and car coming into contact.

The sign will also warn driver about the number of incidents that have occurred on the road.

In addition to the signs, it was also confirmed that a trial closure of one of the lay-bys will take place in the near future. Paul Keeble, Traffic and Network Manager at Monmouthshire County Council (MCC) said that both MCC and WG seem keen on the temporary closure of one of the lay-bys to see how traffic reacts. He also stated that the council would be happy to explore solutions to vehicles parking in the lay-bys.

Councillor Armand Watts said: "There is definitely evidence of the success of temporary signs in situations like this.

“The issue relates to speed- speed is the main factor despite experts saying it isn’t. Signs remind people they should drive with more caution, and people drive with more caution when they drive slower.”

He added that he was not entirely convinced that barriers are the answer, recalling an incident where a car hit a bank and rolled over and that he was not sure hitting a barrier would be any more help.

Cllr Peter Farley said: “We should give some credit to WG for getting study off the ground so quickly and getting details together.

“Its clear from our correspondence with Edwina Hart that once the study is complete we can get involved again.

“I would like to keep this on the burn, which is why I would suggest writing a letter to new minister for transport before September.”

Cllr Rooke confirmed that, while it is “unfortunate” that the study will not be complete until September, the issues of the road would not be dropped, adding that the safety of the road was of extreme importance to the council.

“I can certainly speak on behalf of council that this will not drop off radar. if it takes two years to get something down then it takes two years but there will be something done.”