A GIANT pot hole could be responsible for a spate of vehicles crashing off a narrow lane down a steep slope.

A scaffolding lorry went over the edge of Manson Lane in Monmouth last Friday (April 13), shedding part of its load, and had to be pulled out.

At least two other vehicles have plummeted off the single-track road at the same point so far this year, including a removal lorry which careered straight down into the field below.  

Road users who are not familiar with driving along the lane are thought to be swerving at the last second to avoid a huge pot hole up against the hedge on the other side of the road.

However, other vehicles have also gone over the edge in the past, including a transit van, when there was no pot hole there.

And there are fears that the use of the road by more heavy vehicles and the repeated accidents could ultimately see part of the road give way.

A sign at the bottom of the lane bans HGVs, but the rural track has seen the volume of heavier vehicles using it rise in recent years, with large tractors, livestock lorries and milk tankers joined by builders’ lorries serving new developments and a massive increase in delivery vans owing to online shopping.

A lane resident, who didn’t want to be named, said: “The road is at one of its narrowest points above the Monnow Valley where the vehicles have run off the lane, which only has a soft verge at the top of a steep slope.

“A giant pot hole measuring about 10 feet long has appeared on the other side of the road and it looks like drivers are swerving to avoid it without realising the dangers.

“The scaffolding lorry was lucky it didn’t roll over, and half its load is still lying at the roadside four days later.

“Somebody could get hurt if they plummet down there, and you have to wonder whether the road can keep taking the strain. If the road collapses and we have to go the long way round through the Buckholt, then that’s almost a five-mile detour.”

Monmouthshire County Council’s highways department has been informed.