TRAFFIC frustration on one of the main routes into the Forest will only be solved by a new by-pass, it has been claimed.

But with a new road around Chepstow years away at least, authorities on both sides of the border need to work more closely – and not only on traffic issues.

The points were made during a public meeting called to discuss views on whether the old Wye Bridge between Tutshill and Chepstow should be closed to traffic permanently.

Around 70 people, from both sides of the border, attended the meeting at the Drill Hall in Chepstow which was organised by Monmouthshire county councillor Peter Farley.

Cllr Farley (Lab, Chepstow St Mary’s) said he had received an ‘unprecedented’ amount of correspondence about the Wye Bridge when it was closed for repairs, evenly balanced between those for and those against closure.

The meeting, attended by residents of Lower Chepstow which is affected by traffic using the bridge and people from Forest villages including Sedbury, Tutshill, Woodcroft and Tidenham, was decisively against permanent closure.

Cllr Farley said it was ‘nonsense’ that decisions could be taken on one side of the border with little regard for the effect on the other.

He said: “We should be asking questions such as why the Planning Inspectorate, when it looks at something on one side, does not have to consider the impact on the other side. Frankly it’s a nonsense.

“We need a strategic forum to address these issues. The border is just a line on somebody’s map but Chepstow is at the end of everybody’s line.

“We are, in every sense, on the edge.

“We need a strategic mechanism which bring together the two county councils (Gloucestershire and Monmouthshire), the Department of Transport in London, the equivalent in the Welsh Government and the Forest of Dean District Council.

“There are any number of issues where some sort of joining mechanism would be useful.”

Gloucestershire county councillor Patrick Moly­neux (Con, Tidenham) said the issue of access into the Forest was being looked at by a scrutiny committee at Shire Hall.

He said: “One of the things we’ve been looking at is potentially revisiting the outer by-pass for Chepstow from the Severn Bridge avoiding Chepstow and giving access to the A48 and up through the Forest.

“I think we need to look at that, there are certainly implications – you are building a large road through what is a beautiful part of Gloucestershire. It is not going to be easy and the funding will be difficult.

“We need to be looking at a long-term approach which does involve two countries – it is not going to be easy.”

Mr Charles Newbury, of St Ann Street, Chepstow said there had been no “joined up thinking” and the town was in danger of being choked by traffic.

Chepstow town councillor and potter Ned Heywood said it had been a “delight” to walk to work at his studio in Lower Church Street while the old Wye Bridge was closed but to shut it completely “would be very selfish”.

He added: “The only realistic solution for Chepstow’s traffic problems is another by-pass – but the by-pass is years away.”

Stuart Archer said the use of the term “rat run” to describe traffic coming into Chepstow over the old bridge was “very emotive”.

He said: “We live in Woodcroft and we very much see Chepstow as our town.

“We are Chepstow residents and we are using the bridge to access the town, the shops, schools, leisure centre and other members of family.

“Being stuck in traffic makes you want to use Lydney or Coleford.”

Labour’s candidate for May’s election to the Welsh Assembly, Catherine Fookes, said she had written to the Welsh transport minister, Edwina Hart, to see for herself the traffic problems.

“This meeting has strengthened my resolve to contact her office again as there are a lot of issues.”

It was agreed to set up an action made up of residents on both sides of the border.