A BYPASS for Chepstow could be considered as early as the new year, after work takes place to establish the impact of the scrapping of the Severn tolls.

The Beacon has learned work to determine the impact of the tolls is underway, after a senior transport aide from Welsh Government Cabinet member for Economy and Transport Ken Skates’ office visited Chepstow recently to meet residents who are campaigning for a bypass around the town.

Monmouth AM Nick Ramsay says he has received a considerable amount of correspondence from local residents concerned about increasing traffic congestion in the town, which was recently named as one of the most polluted places to live in the UK.

Commenting on the meeting, Mr Ramsay said: “I was pleased to learn that residents had the opportunity to express their very serious concerns about the town’s traffic problems, which they fear will worsen when the planned 450 houses are built on the old Fairfield Mabey site, as well as additional housing just across the border in England.

“I have now been informed that Welsh Government officials are currently working with Highways England to establish the likely effect the planned removal of the Severn Bridge tolls in 2018 would have on the volume and type of traffic using the A48 through Chepstow.

It is recognised by Mr Skates’ office that a high number of HGVs and other vehicles use the route to avoid the Severn tolls, which are being abolished at the end of 2018.

“Any improvements to the existing A48 trunk road and the need for a bypass will be considered in the light of the outcome of this exercise in the new year,” Mr Ramsay continued.

“I hope the result of this joint exercise will be a positive one for the town and that plans can be put in place sooner rather than later to alleviate a situation which cannot be allowed to continue.”

Sketches of the potential route of the bypass were passed to Mr Skates by Chepstow resident Alan Braund, who was part of the team of Chepstow Conservatives who set up a bypass petition earlier this year.

“Chepstow Conservatives have had a bypass petition, now online, running since the Chepstow Show in August and our councillors are working with the county to co-ordinate with Gloucestershire and Forest of Dean Councils and to seek the support of the Welsh Assembly,” Mr Braund said.

“The Minister, Mr Skates, very recently sent a senior transport aide to meet a broad group of local representatives, one of whom provided sketches showing the potential line of the bypass and other suggested improvements, and urged priority to be given to planning action by the above councils.

“The Minister has now confirmed to us that his officials are currently undertaking modelling work in collaboration with Highways England to establish the likely effect on the A48 of the planned removal of the Severn Tolls and that the need for a bypass will be considered in the light of the outcome of this exercise, in the new year.”