RAIN falling on already saturated ground is being blamed for a number of landslides in the area which have been causing traffic chaos over recent days.

A large amount of stone and soil slipped onto the steep Coleford to Monmouth road last week, prompting the placing of two way traffic lights near the Kymin, while in Drybrook Hawthorn Road has been closed for some days due to another landslide – which contractors were due to clear this week.

Meanwhile the B4234 towards Ross on Wye was closed at Kerne Bridge, just beyond the Inn On The Wye, after a large part of the west-facing embankment beside the River Wye slid onto both carriageways of the road. This has forced changes for the bus routes into and out of the area – with services having to use the A40 dual carriageway for access to the Forest, causing increased journey times for commuters, particularly to those on the number 24 service.

The Inn On The Wye itself has been the subject of repairs in recent weeks after the ground under their beer terrace gave way, forcing workmen to replace the lost material with stones encased in steel cages.