LOCAL Assembly Member for Monmouth, Nick Ramsay, has questioned the safety of a major road in Chepstow following a number of serious accidents in recent years.

Mr Ramsay has asked the Welsh Government to reassess the safety of the A466 link road between Chepstow and Thornwell in the wake of the recent accidents.

Since 2010 there have been at least five serious incidents on this stretch of road including one car crash involving five cars.

Mr Ramsay said: “I am deeply concerned by the number of serious accidents on the A466 link road over recent years.

“There are serious problems with this relatively short stretch of road and more clearly needs to be done to improve its safety.

“Possible improvements could include the dualling of the road or, at the very least, a safety barrier to improve safety. The speed limit should also be looked at and also the possibility of providing designated parking for commuters car-sharing across the Severn Bridge.

“I am asking the Assembly Transport Minister, Edwina Hart, to reassess the safety of this stretch of road as a matter of urgency before there are further serious incidents.”

•Mr Ramsay has written to Monmouthshire County Council’s highways department after receiving a letter from a Chepstow constituent who is calling for traffic calming measures to be considered in various parts of the town.

Mr Ramsay said: “I have asked highways to consider the traffic calming measures my constituent has suggested, including wider footpaths, speed humps or bollards and a 20mph speed limit through Chepstow old town and across the Old Wye Bridge.

“I have also asked them to look at introducing tougher weight restrictions and improved road signage; for priority to be given to buses and taxis, cyclists and pedestrians travelling across the Old Wye Bridge and for the Old Wye Bridge to be classed as a heritage structure to ensure its long-term survival for future generations.

“There is obviously continuing concern about traffic problems in the town. I hope the highways department will look at all these suggestions and consider implementing at last some of them.”