A THIRD lane for the dual carriageway junction onto Monmouth’s 401-year-old Wye Bridge will be installed next year at a cost of £4.1m.

Councillors have given the go ahead for the traffic alleviation scheme, despite the possible reduction of traffic when the Severn Bridge tolls are scrapped in December.

The westbound highway of the A40 will be widened to provide a 170m-long lane for left-turning traffic as part of the Wye Bridge Transportation Improvement Scheme.

Motorists using the regional link between the West Midlands and South Wales can experience rush hour delays at the traffic light junction, and Monmouthshire councillors say the third lane for vehicles crossing the river will help reduce tailbacks and cut delays.

Some drivers using a toll-free Severn Bridge to reach South Wales via the M5 may choose not to use the route in future, though, with journey times in free flowing traffic virtually the same.

A report to councillors described the A40 road as “probably the third most significant corridor between Wales and England.”

The report added: “The A40/A449 route is a key trunk road corridor between South Wales and the Midlands, and important to the Monmouthshire and Welsh economy including the promotion of successful major events and functions throughout the region.”

As part of the scheme, the footpath on the upstream side of the Grade II-listed bridge will be widened and the downstream pavement narrowed, with a new access leading to an extended subway linking Wyesham and the town centre.

Proposals to build a new river crossing were too “costly and difficult”, councillors were told.

A meeting of Monmouthshire’s full council approved the third lane scheme last Thursday (September 20), with most of the funding set to come from the Welsh Government’s ‘pinch point’ fund.

Councillor Bryan Jones, cabinet member for county operations, said: “We all know how much of a problem traffic is on that particular stretch of road.

“It’s a big issue. It’s not good for the economy, it’s not good for tourism and it’s a complete nuisance.”