Wales' transport minister has been asked to reveal what discussions were held with Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water and Monmouthshire County Council prior to resurfacing work starting on the A40 in Monmouth.
From 29 February, overnight works will see the busy dual carriageway shut between Raglan interchange and Dixton roundabout.
Carriageway resurfacing will take place until 8 April 2024, with daily closures from 8:00pm to 6:00am.
The town’s MP David Davies wrote to Lee Waters – whose official title is Deputy Minister for Climate Change - in December 2023 when plans were first revealed to resurface the A40.
He expressed concerns about the timings of the work, which coincide with a major network upgrade to replace the aging Victorian mains water pipe in Monmouth.
In his written reply, dated 16 January 2024, Mr Waters said Welsh Government officials and the South Wales Trunk Road Agent (SWTRA) would be meeting with Monmouthshire County Council and Welsh Water “as a priority to understand how to best coordinate works programmes to ensure delivery with minimum disruption”.
“I will respond to the specific points you raise once this meeting has taken place,” the minister added.
No further response has been forthcoming.
Since then, Monmouth has endured weeks of traffic gridlock with a one-way system in place as Welsh Water dig up the town centre along Monnow Street.
The situation was further compounded by Monmouthshire County Council’s decision to push ahead with installing a new active travel route in Wonastow Road, Drybridge Street and Rockfield Road at the same time – although this scheme is currently on hold after contractors accidentally damaged a shallow mains water pipe at the Wonastow mini-roundabout.
Another bitter blow was dealt last month following a landslip on the A40 near Ganarew, close to the Wales-England border sign, which has resulted in National Highways introducing a single lane closure prior to Dixton roundabout.
Finally, repair work is expected to be carried out on the Wye Bridge between mid-March and 24 May 2024. However, Monmouthshire County Council has yet to confirm an exact start date.
Mr Davies, who is supporting the Chamber of Commerce and struggling business community, said he was disappointed their concerns “have fallen on deaf ears”.
“I am very surprised the Labour Welsh Government gave the go ahead for resurfacing work on the A40, especially as I was told talks would be held to minimise disruption,” he said.
“The Cinderhill Street entry point on to the A40 is the main exit from the town while the one-way system is in place and people don’t stop travelling after 8:00pm. Many pubs and restaurants are open to midnight and the fear is that customers will simply spend their money in Ross-on-Wye, Abergavenny or Coleford instead because these high streets are fully accessible and there is ample parking.
“When the A40 is closed overnight, how are people in Wyesham able to get to hospital in case of emergency if they can’t at least travel down to Beech Road?
“Monmouth is suffering from the perfect storm of roadworks. Obviously, nobody could foresee the landslip, but this has heaped even more misery on traders and local residents.
“I have urgently asked the Welsh Government to clarify what discussions did take place and when, because I simply cannot see this working. All we have is congestion chaos suffocating the town, which is forcing shoppers elsewhere.
“I know businesses in particular are extremely worried as we approach the key Easter sales and tourist season.”
Mr Davies added he is meeting with officials from National Highways on Friday (8 March) to discuss the project for the A40 landslip clear up and permanent repairs.