Agenda item

The notes of the last meeting were confirmed subject to the addition of Mr. P. Turner to the list of those present.

Matters Arising

·         Chepstow By-Pass: Mr. A. Braund was welcomed to the meeting and provided a presentation on the campaign for a Chepstow By-Pass and relevant traffic relief in the surrounding area.  He circulated a paper with sketches of proposed routes highlighting that the problems related to congestion in both Wales and England, plans to develop significant numbers of new dwellings in the Chepstow and Lydney area increasing demand for access to the M4 and the heavy pollution concerns around Hardwick Hill.  It was explained that there is a need for one body to take the lead in defining a route and associated costs.

Sketch 1, proposes a route from Tidenham (Old Quarry) to Thornwell. Reference was made to the road layout in the Thornwell area which is perceived locally as a potential joining point for a By Pass. It was reported that Welsh Government has promised to look at congestion in the Chepstow area and a meeting is arranged on Thursday 26^th October 2017 with a Welsh Government official at High Beech Roundabout to witness congestion at peak times.

Additionally, a plan to provide an interim on/off junction at Hayes Gate was suggested to divert traffic from the surrounding villages to relieve traffic flow on High Beech Roundabout in a relatively inexpensive way. 

Further plans looked at the North side to divert Lydney traffic to avoid Chepstow benefitting the surrounding villages of Tutshill and Sedbury to avoid passing by Tesco.

The impact of significant housing development in Chepstow and surrounding areas was emphasised.

The Head of Operations responded that there had been a plan some years            ago that included a route through Thornwell hence the wide access point and added that the issues raised by Mr. Braund and other members regarding congestion in the area are already lodged.  He welcomed the maps provided that define traffic congestion in SE Monmouthshire and also SW Gloucestershire. It was agreed that a scheme/s would need to include a potential on/off junction on the M48 at Hayes Gate and improvements High Beech roundabout as part of an overall scheme to address traffic issues in the whole area.

It was reported that there have been Officer and Cabinet Member meetings with colleagues in Gloucestershire on the issues including the air pollution on Hardwick Hill.  It was agreed that existing and proposed housing development will exacerbate traffic issues.  It was confirmed that any petitions received have been reported to Members. There is also a current petition on Nick Ramsay AM’s website, see https://www.nickramsay.org.uk/news/chepstow-bypass   It was agreed that a joint strategy is needed between Monmouthshire County Council and Gloucestershire County Council and officers will raise this matter as a high priority.  It was recommended that political support from MPs is sought.

It was agreed to speak to officers and Welsh Government officials to determine the best approach and to prepare a paper for consideration by this Group in due course.  It was pointed out that it is unlikely that Monmouthshire or Gloucestershire County Councils will have the funds to provide such a costly scheme and therefore the financial support of the Welsh Government and the Department for Transport will be required. 

It was added that the opportunity of high tech industry moving to SE Wales will increase the demand for a suitable infrastructure.  It was responded that currently the LDP doesn’t currently include the development of high tech industry in the area. Should it do so in the future linked with increased residential development, it will only add to concerns about congestion in the area.

The Chair asked if a critical plan can be prepared to consider how to initiate progress noting that joint England and Wales support will be required to prepare a feasibility study with estimates that are as accurate as possible.  It was acknowledged that there will be significant costs linked to early design proposals and option appraisal in preparation for bidding. 

A Member supported the plan for a Chepstow By-Pass but queried the proposal for an on/off junction at Hayes Gate as it wouldn’t relieve traffic on he B4245 or provide a good link for Severn Tunnel Junction station and suggested a wider plan for an on/off junction between the Severn Bridge and Magor Services.  It was cautioned that agreement on a junction could lead to the M48 being downgraded to A48(M) and so would be cheaper to maintain.  It was suggested that if this occurred, the road would still be the responsibility of Welsh Government adding that a study would have to take account of that in view of the M4 Relief scheme and the downgrading of the existing M4 west from Magor.  It was considered that the M48 may not be downgraded as it would be required as a contingency motorway is the Second Severn Crossing was closed.  If this is the case a new on/off junction would be more expensive to construct.