MADAM,

I read the headline item in the 16th September edition (‘Third lane for dual carriageway junction?’) with interest.

That the A40 slices Monmouth in two and cuts the main part of the town from its river front is a significant detriment to the town. The headline could’ve been drafted “fifth lane for dual carriageway?”.

I suggest that before any consulting engineers are commissioned to develop an improvement scheme there should be a survey undertaken by an independent group (with no vested interest) to establish what proportion of southbound traffic is using the A40 to avoid the Severn bridge toll fees. It could be that once (if) these tolls are abolished, southbound traffic (lorries) on the M5 will carry on to the M4 and Severn bridges rather than cutting down the A40.

Clearly an upgraded Heads of the Valleys road may be a future counter stimulus for increased use of the A40 through Monmouth.

Trevor Tyler-Batt

(Monmouth)