PLANS to widen a dual carriageway to ease congestion at Monmouth’s Wye Bridge bottleneck can be viewed at a public exhibition next week.

Monmouthshire’s highways department wants to add a third lane for 170 metres to the southbound A40 dual carriageway, providing a dedicated left-hand turn over the 17th century bridge.

Traffic regularly backs up to the Dixton roundabout and beyond, causing delays for drivers travelling straight on to South Wales, as well as those wanting to cross the river to the Forest of Dean and the lower Wye Valley.

The public exhibition organised by Monmouthshire County Council and the Welsh Government takes place at Monmouth’s Shire Hall on Friday, July 7, from 11am to 7pm, and Saturday, July 8, from 10am to 5pm.

It will display measures to reduce traffic congestion and minimise delays, plus improvements to pedestrian access under the dual carriageway subway by connecting the town to communities living and working on the east bank. 

Representatives from the county council, Welsh Government and consulting engineers WSP/Parsons Brinkerhoff will be present to talk and listen to residents about the proposals.

Cllr Bryan Jones, cabinet member with responsibility for highways, said: “We understand the frustration that congestion and delays on the Wye Bridge junction cause to drivers and communities in Monmouth, the Wye Valley and the Forest of Dean.

“I welcome these proposals and urge the public to take time out to visit the exhibition.”

The project will involve borehole and ground investigation works on the Wye Bridge’s arches and its south-east retaining wall, with some 22 holes to be drilled and filled with concrete.

The existing subway under the road, which is used by pupils to reach the playing fields on the south eastern side of Wye Bridge and Monmouth School, will have its access ramps widened as part of the proposed plan.