WELSH Government plans to relieve traffic on the A48 through Chepstow were described as “completely unacceptable on every level” by Monmouth AM Nick Ramsay on Friday (10th February).

Nick Ramsay made the comments while at a public meeting in Chepstow Gatehouse about the Mabey Bridge development site. Chepstow councillor Marc Le Peltier called the meeting to give Mr Ramsay a “snapshot of opinion” from the people of Chepstow about the development plans.

A major point of contention is the impact the development would have on congestion on the A48, with up to an extra 1,200 cars accessing Station Road if plans continue to build 600 homes on the site. Welsh Government plans to relieve the extra traffic would mean the introduction of a left-turn-only lane on Station Road junction, and reverse the one-way system on Nelson Street.

After hearing issues with the plans voiced by members of the public, Mr Ramsay said the plans would “effectively turn the car park by the traffic lights into a roundabout.”

“They have clearly tried to find a solution to the problem but this is not the right one,” he said.

“I have asked the Welsh Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure, Ken Skates AM, to look at this again and hopefully come up with an option or options which would be satisfactory to the people of Chepstow.

“I have also asked the Minister and his officials to attend a site meeting at the traffic lights so that they can appreciate that this isn’t an easy problem to solve.”

Cllr Peltier welcomed the news of a site visit, explaining at the meeting: “I support the development, but thought needs to go in to how this will impact quality of life and strain existing infrastructure like schools and hospitals in the area.

"Hardwick Hill is already one of the most polluted roads in Wales, and an increase in traffic will cause gridlock.

“I welcome the visit. The reality of the situation will be seen and the real concerns of the people of Chepstow can then be addressed.”