MONMOUTHSHIRE County Council is making contingency plans to close the A466 at Tintern this weekend.

The road may need to shut for temporary periods over the bank holiday weekend as high tides on the River Wye are expected to flood the main road in Tintern.

The road will be closed for short times when each tide reaches its morning and evening peaks, though only if tidal water overflows onto the highway. Air pressure and winds affect the height of each high tide.

Because any closures last for only approximately 30 minutes, no diversions will be sign posted in line with a longstanding system.

Council lorries will be placed just north of the Royal George Hotel and by the Wye Valley Hotel to block the road while closures are in effect.

Council officers will be working over the weekend to deal with any issues arising from the forecasted high tides.

Closure times have been identified as:

• Sunday 30th August 9.05pm to 9.45pm

• Monday 31st August 8:30am to 9:05am

• Monday 31st August 9.50pm to 10.25pm

• Tuesday 1st September 10.15am to 10.50am

• Tuesday 1st September 10.35pm to 11.10pm

 

Roger Hoggins, Monmouthshire County Council’s Head of Operations said: “This arrangement to close the road for the short time while it is in flood has been used for many years. “Closure times are estimated and based on the forecasted tide times.  The highest tide currently forecast is on Monday night, when road closures are most probable. The tide heights will be monitored as they occur, with temporary closures only being put in place if water is about to flood the highway.”

Natural Resources Wales will monitor the situation and issue flood warnings as necessary.