MADAM,

Last Friday I visited the exhibition in the Shire Hall on the proposed third lane from the A40 to cross the Wye on the A466.

I was impressed with the presentation of the information and a chat with a representative from the Welsh Government reassured me that there would not be a continuous flow of traffic over the bridge, but the third lane would also be subject to the traffic lights on the A40. However, it does seem that this third lane will alleviate a lot of the backlog of traffic on the A40, particularly at rush hour and I fully support the idea.

One of the bonuses for pedestrians is that the plans showed that there would be a direct ramp into the tunnel beneath the A40, which would greatly improve on the present arrangement which involves a sharp turn into the tunnel. I regularly use this route into Monmouth and can say without reservation that it is ghastly. The walls of the tunnel have not been painted in years; black cobwebs engulf the lights and while litter is removed, the drainage channel is always thick with mud and the ramps are not regularly swept, grass cuttings have been laying there for weeks now.

It is an unpleasant experience exacerbated by the sharp turn into and out of the tunnels.

The mirrors do little to improve the situation and they are often covered in graffiti, rendering them useless. Many people feel so intimidated by walking through the tunnels at night that they take the risk of crossing the busy dual carriageway putting themselves and motorists in danger. So, I was pleased to see that at least it would be possible to now enter the tunnels directly. However, when I looked closely at the plan and pointed out that there did not seem to be an equivalent direct ramp into the tunnel on the town side, I was informed that this had indeed been offered, but the county council had turned this down because it would mean losing two or three parking spaces in the planned car park on Wyebridge street. Once again as so often happens all around the country, the perceived needs of the motorist have taken precedence over the real needs of the pedestrian.

A brightly lit, well maintained pedestrian tunnel with an exit clearly visible from the entrance would surely encourage more people to leave the car at home and walk.  Doesn’t the council want to support this, and help people to keep fit in the process? This opportunity will never arise again, but there is still time for the council to change its mind and give the citizens of Monmouth a safe pedestrian route into and out of town. I hope to read of a change of heart soon.

Judith Rossiter

(Monmouth)