What discussions has the Welsh Government had with the UK Government regarding a Chepstow bypass?
My officials are working with Monmouthshire County Council on a WelTAG Stage One Assessment of options to improve the flow of traffic along the A48(T) through Chepstow. This is a key cross-border route and stakeholders including Gloucestershire County Council as the A48 highway authority, Forest of Dean District Council as planning Authority and Chepstow Town Council are all involved in discussions.
Improvement options will need to demonstrate improved air quality and therefore a wide range of options will be considered including measures such as improvements to public transport and active travel which would seek to reduce traffic volumes as well as considering the appropriateness of a bypass. Officials are currently working with Highways England to model the effects of the toll removal, however, until they are removed we won’t understand the change in the flow.