Traffic woes continue in Monmouth, although this time nobody is particularly to blame for the A40 landslide. That said, the diversion system was seemingly not policed as well as many of us would have liked. What we ended up with is the rural village of Buckholt being used as a cut-through for HGVs while the A40 was shut, despite existing signing warning large vehicles to avoid that route. Anyone who lives locally knows how twisty and narrow the road is from the upper Buckholt to just before Welsh Newtown. It is impossible for crossing HGVs to pass here, which caused further blockages and lengthy delays. I visited Buckholt on Friday afternoon alongside local county councillor Jane Lucas to see the chaos for myself. I met with frustrated and concerned residents who reported damage to hedging, trees, verges and the road surface itself. Fortunately, one lane of the A40 northbound has now reopened. But I can see further problems arising if there is an accident or breakdown on that single carriageway. Considering the landslip is about half a mile before the Ganarew road bridge heading out of Monmouth, just yards from the Wales-England border sign, I must question why it is necessary to shut off the inside lane all the way from the Dixton roundabout because this is going to impact residents in Leasbrook Lane and Newton Court. I did get in touch with officials at the Department for Transport last week to emphasise the importance of reopening the A40 and to be fair, they stuck to their word of getting lane two open following the installation of a temporary concrete barrier. We now need both lanes open as quickly as possible. The situation with the A40 is simply adding to the enormous gridlock already suffocating Monmouth while Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water dig up the middle of town and Monmouthshire County Council dig up the bottom end of town. It is disastrous for traders, which is why I once again call on the council to stop its own roadworks and offer free parking as a way of getting shoppers on the high street.
During a meeting in Skenfrith last November, residents heard how Natural Resources Wales (NRW) had paused the village’s flood defence project for six months due to a shortfall of £100,000. Both the local community and myself have been told it is hoped to kick-start work in April if funds are available. As we are rapidly approaching the start of the new financial year, I have asked NRW for an update as to whether this is still likely or if further delays are anticipated. I very much hope it is not the latter. The longer Skenfrith has to wait, the longer the village remains a flood risk.
*Published in the Monmouthshire Beacon and Abergavenny Chronicle on 21 February 2024*