A SECONDARY school threw its weight into a debate about traffic management yesterday (Tuesday, February 12) as highway bosses argued over who is responsible for the ‘gridlock’ apparently caused by work to dismantle Severn Bridge Toll booths.

Blame for the delays, lasting over two hours on Tuesday morning, was passed between Traffic Wales South and Highways South West, who originally claimed on social media it was the Principality’s responsibility.

Wyedean School in Sedbury tweeted both Highways England and Traffic Wales South, who are carrying out the work, to complain, saying: “Buses two hours late and students arriving after 10am stuck on a coach for a journey of 20-30mins lasting three hours. Parents late for work. Staff not being able to get to work and children needing supervising and educating. Speakers cancelled for assemblies. It goes on. Appalling.”

Highways South West later admitted on Twitter: “We have established that the work is ours, sorry for the information that was supplied this morning. We are working to ease the traffic in the area.”

Traffic South Wales claim to be supporting them in minimising disruption that could, according to information supplied by Momouthshire County Council, last for six weeks while work is carried out. The council tweetedd: “Highways England have confirmed that the M48 Svern Bridge toll decommissioning works are causing traffic delays in the Chepstow area.

“Delays are expected to continue until February 16. We are meeting with Welsh Government and Highways England to try and make improvements while work continues.”

Local residents took to social media to complain about the delays. Bristol business director, Monika Radclyffe, said: “2.5h commute this morning from Forest of Dean to Bristol. Gridlock in Chepstow. Who had this brilliant idea to put traffic lights on the roundabout and reduce lanes on the M48 bridge during the morning rush hour?”

Monmouth MP, David Davies, who campaigned for the removal of the tolls, said: “Huge problems and traffic chaos in Chepstow this morning around J2 of the M48. I have contacted HighwaysSWEST and transport.gov.uk to ask for urgent changes to the traffic light phasing on the Newhouse roundabout to reduce delays tonight.”

Bridge tolls on both Severn bridges were removed in December last year.