RESURFACING works on the old Severn Bridge are adding to delays in Chepstow, where drivers face chronic congestion daily.

National Highways, responsible for both Severn crossings, said it has planned the work during the quieter summer period, but its knock on impact is still being felt on the town’s already strained road network.

Niki Arden, of Chepstow Fuels and County Marquees, based on the Bulwark Industrial Estate near the bridge, said: “It’s definitely made a difference; getting into work has been an issue and when we have vehicles coming back over, they are getting back later.”

National Highways is testing whether it can use a machine for resurfacing on a 200m section of the westbound bridge carriageway.

That has resulted in a temporary contraflow system with traffic restricted to one narrow lane, in each direction, on the eastbound carriageway, and a reduced 30mph limit.

The work has also required some temporary overnight closures, lane closures and 24-hour weekend closures.

The resurfacing trial has come on top of the weight limit introduced in May 2025, limiting vehicles to no more than 7.5 tonnes, and added to congestion on the A466 Wye Valley Link Road and the existing pinch point at the Highbeech roundabout where it meets west and eastbound traffic on the A48.

The Old Wye Bridge, that connects the town to Tutshill in England, has also been closed to traffic since last October due to cracks in the 210-year-old Grade I-listed structure’s pillars.

Sue Kingdom, Chepstow Chamber of Commerce and Tourism secretary, said members are feeling the strain of Chepstow’s creaking infrastructure.

She said: “There are serious problems such as the Highbeech roundabout and the Old Wye Bridge, and it is likely to get worse as people all go back to work as soon as the summer holidays are over.”

Niki Ardern said traffic was already busy before 8am and fears the impact when schools return, with the resurfacing expected to continue until Sunday, September 27.

“It’s really bad getting in in the morning and of course the schools are not back – as soon as they do go back it will be a nightmare.”

Momouthshire Mount Pleasant ward councillor Paul Pavia said further information is still outstanding on several issues, including a report to help ease congestion at Highbeech.

The Conservative said: “As elected members we still haven’t seen the Highbeech report and the Old Wye Bridge report is supposed to be produced by the end of August.”

Labour councillor for Bulwark and Thornwell Armand Watts said people were finding it difficult to understand reasons for the closures,

“You can’t get into Chepstow or get out. I think it’s a lot on the community. I crossed at 9.15pm and there were three men stood there with a flask and having a chat with hard hats on.”

Chris Pope, National Highways programme manager, said: “The M48 Severn Bridge is very heavily used and is now in need of significant resurfacing, which is vital to keep drivers safe...

“We appreciate this trial may cause some delays... and we’re advising road users to plan ahead and allow extra time for journeys.”