A specialist team contracted by Natural Resources Wales has successfully removed a large build up of debris under the Monmouth Bridge on the River Wye, following weeks of heavy rainfall and stormy conditions.

The team used a long reach excavator to remove large quantities of timber and debris from the bridge, which could have restricted the river flow and caused flooding if left unattended for a long time.

Whilst the larger items of debris were removed from the river, the majority of it was dislodged and dropped back into the flow to continue its journey in the water. This was something many locals had hoped wouldn't happen, as there are worries that it will block bridges further down, damage small fishing boats, or cause disruption in the River Severn and Bristol Channel.

Officers from Natural Resources Wales have been monitoring river levels on the Wye closely over the last few weeks as high and fast river flows have made it too dangerous for the work to be undertaken until now. Due to the forecast break in the weather, Natural Resources Wales took the decision to undertake the work while river levels have dropped.

More than 80 per cent of the blockage has been removed, and the remainder will be carried out shortly.

A spokesperson from Natural Resources Wales said: 

"We understand the importance of removing this blockage to reassure the local community during a prolonged period of unsettled weather and high river flows.

"We've been keeping a close eye on the situation to make sure local people weren't at risk, but were keen to take advantage of a drop in river levels to safely remove the blockage before it caused any further problems.

"We'd like to thank Monmouthshire County Council for their assistance in closing the road overnight to allow us to undertake this important operation.

"If anyone is concerned about a blockage in their local river they should report it to our incident hotline on 0800 80 70 60."

Worries are being expressed by Monmouth residents over the blockage formed at the Monnow Bridge. Many are asking how pressure of this scale will be affecting the 700-year-old structure.