A PETITION for a Chepstow bypass gathered more than 200 signatures at last weekend’s Chepstow Show, amid concerns about the amount of vehicle traffic and pollution in the town.

There have been proposals for a Chepstow bypass for a number of years, with plans first discussed in the 1960s, and the petition gave show-goers the chance to voice their concerns.

A new proposal suggests an on-off link to the M48 eastbound from the A48 at Hayes Gate at the bottom of Pwllmeyric Hill to allow access and egress for Caldicot, Portskewett, Shirenewton and Caerwent. This, campaigners say, would relieve pressure from High Beech roundabout.

Bypass campaigners say an increase in traffic due to the recently-approved application for 450 houses off Station Road, together with other developments in Chepstow and the Forest of Dean, will create “huge vehicle traffic” in the town.

Following a meeting between campaigners and Monmouth Assembly Member Nick Ramsay earlier this year, Welsh Government Minister for Transport Ken Skates agreed to visit Chepstow once Monmouthshire County Council had approved the plans on the former Mabey shipyard site. Mr Skates is yet to visit the town after the plans were approved in April.

It was also announced last November that Beachley Barracks is earmarked for closure by 2027, with that area potentially able to hold as many as 1,000 houses.

Alan Braund, who was at the show campaigning for the bypass, said: “Most of this will generate huge vehicle traffic wanting to access the A48 and M48 heading both east and west via Hardwick Hill.

“It is already one of the most polluted highways in Wales. Primary access from Fairfield Mabey, and in reality, the only access, will be under the railway next to Chepstow station directly to Hardwick Hill. The only other vehicular access is via Lower Church Street, with emergency access through the narrow tunnel to Hardwick Avenue in Garden City.

“So far, progress on a bypass (ideally from the diving centre near Tidenham via Buttington Tump, Sedbury to cross the River Wye to Thornwell) is a head in the sand approach by all of the authorities involved, all looking for someone else to fund it.

“It would be helpful for the authorities, UK Parliament, Welsh Assembly, to take the matter seriously, to recognise the problem, set up a joint committee, and agree to studies, estimates etc so that we know what we are up against, as it could take 10 years and we haven’t got that amount of time.”

Previous petitions have been gathered on the topic, including an ongoing version by The Chepstow and Sedbury Bypass Action Group available now www.assembly.wales/en/gethome/e-petitions/Pages/petitiondetail.aspx?PetitionID=1140.