Monmouthshire and Gloucestershire County councils have agreed to advance plans for a new road to bypass Chepstow to end congestion in the town centre and at the High Beech roundabout.
Cllr Richard John, leader of Monmouthshire County Council, and Gloucestershire County Council leader Cllr Mark Hawthorne recently met with senior council officers, cabinet members, Monmouth MP David Davies and Forest of Dean MP Mark Harper to discuss solutions to Chepstow traffic congestion.
The meeting, held in Tidenham, was an opportunity for Monmouthshire and Gloucestershire politicians to discuss the chronic congestion in and around Chepstow and the resulting air pollution. It was also a chance to agree that public transport and active travel need to play full parts in alleviating these long-standing issues. Without serious investment the environmental, economic and social wellbeing of communities on both sides of the border will continue to be damaged.
Funding has been secured for the next stage of investigative work to make the case for a new cross-border road link, along with increased public transport and active travel opportunities.
Last week, Monmouthshire County Council's cabinet agreed that resolution of these cross-border transport infrastructure issues would form the basis of a levelling-up bid to UK Government.
Cllr Richard John said: “I am delighted these constructive talks between Monmouthshire and Gloucestershire politicians have concluded that investment in new infrastructure between Chepstow and Sedbury is absolutely vital to end the chronic congestion plaguing the town and surrounding areas.
“Clearly a new link road that bypasses Chepstow would cut congestion and improve air quality, thereby making Chepstow a more attractive place for tourists to spend time. The new road is also needed because of the level of projected house building in southern Gloucestershire over the next five years.”
Cllr Mark Hawthorne said: “I was pleased to take part in these talks to discuss ways of easing traffic congestion between the Gloucestershire and Monmouthshire border. I am happy that all parties agreed that we need to increase public transport and active travel options as well as looking at plans for new infrastructure to tackle the Chepstow bottleneck.
“We are committed to providing help to these communities blighted by traffic congestion and continuing our partnership work to bring these proposals to fruition. This will benefit residents living along the border as well as improve connectivity across the Western Gateway.”
David Davies MP added: "Both Mark and I are fully aware of the significance of this infrastructure problem, which requires a cross-border solution. We have seen first-hand the tailbacks and delays caused by the A48 pinch point and have received large amounts of correspondence from residents impacted by congestion.
"For the Forest of Dean, it is important to find a solution that will help those many hundreds of commuters who travel through Chepstow for work in Bristol and South Wales. For Monmouthshire residents, the project needs to address the gridlock and delays on Hardwick Hill and the resulting air quality concerns.
"This meeting was an opportunity to look at ways in which we can lend our support, as Members of Parliament, to finding a long-term answer and highlighted a shared commitment moving forward. Each of the political leaders and heads of council departments outlined their vision, with both councils promising to do further work and report back.
"Mark and I will continue to hold regular cross-border meetings and updates on progress will follow."