CHEPSTOW Town Council discussed the proposed closure of the Old Wye Bridge at a meeting last Wednesday (25th June). Members were told that the repair work, which will see the bridge close for seven months from 14th July, is set to cost "considerably more" than previously thought. Some of the structural repairs and painting work may need to be scaled back with 'spot painting' replacing the full maintenance paint job hoped for. The bridge will be 200-years-old in 2016, and due to its 7.5T weight restriction – with the installation of the scaffolding – it's essential that the bridge be fully closed to vehicular movement during the works. Diversion signs will be in place. Councillors expressed concerns that the closure will create more congestion in town, and that traffic will be increased going over the newer A48 bridge, where pupils from Wyedean are appealing for a safer walk to school. Locals have been reacting to the news on Facebook. Chepstow woman Amanda Cairncross said: "How about sparing a thought for all the people who live in centre of town, noise from cars, windows shut because of fumes from queuing cars, queue to get car out, having to listen to everyone's music while they queue! "Around 22 years ago a bypass was built and now it is ironic that everyone uses the original road through Chepstow as a bypass to the bypass. "Work has to be done on the bridge, will be inconvenient for some, but, better to be done than have it closed for ever to cars because it's unsafe."