Local Assembly Member Nick Ramsay welcomed a positive response from the Welsh Government’s Cabinet Minister for Infrastructure, Ken Skates AM , following a recent site meeting with Chepstow residents who are campaigning for a bypass around the town.

Mr Ramsay has received a considerable amount of correspondence from local residents concerned about increasing traffic congestion in the town, which was recently named as one of the most polluted places to live in the UK.

Commenting on the meeting, Mr Ramsay said “I was pleased to learn that residents had the opportunity to express their very serious concerns about the town’s traffic problems, which they fear will worsen when the planned 450 houses are built on the old Fairfield Mabey site, as well as additional housing just across the border in England.

“Local resident Alan Braund provided sketches showing the potential line of the bypass around the town together with other suggested highway improvements, which have been passed to Mr Skates.

“I have now been informed that Welsh Government officials are currently working with Highways England to establish the likely effect the planned removal of the Severn Bridge tolls in 2018 would have on the volume and type of traffic using the A48 through Chepstow.

“Any improvements to the existing A48 trunk road and the need for a bypass will be considered in the light of the outcome of this exercise in the new year.

“I hope the result of this joint exercise will be a positive one for the town and that plans can be put in place sooner rather than later to alleviate a situation which cannot be allowed to continue.”