Monmouthshire County Council has confirmed that the Wye Bridge will be closed to traffic for a period of five weeks following a consultation with statutory bodies.

A spokesman for MCC said: “The full closure, day and night, of the Wye Bridge in Monmouth is scheduled to commence on 16th October 2023 for a duration of five weeks. It is working with blue light services to maintain emergency access and will be engaging with residents and businesses in advance of the works.

“The essential work will involve the removal the road surface to the depth of 10cm,” they added.

It will be a complete closure of the bridge for 24 hours a day during this period but will be open to pedestrians and cyclists who may have to dismount, but no vehicular access will be allowed.

This will enable a new surface to be applied that will have a far greater longevity than any individual pot hole repairs would have. Further updates on the works will be issued soon. are considering options for “blue light access” that will mean emergency services can travel across the bridge., although there will still be a delay for them but it will be better than having to use the official diversion.

The official diversion will be between 20-30 miles using A roads to get to Ross-on-Wye. This is governed by law as they have to use the same size roads or higher than the one being closed.

It is likely locals will know alternatives that will not be as long.

The closure is not just to resolve the surface but to also retain and improve the bridge’s structural integrity and the council are considering securing additional parking that will allow people to drive, park and walk across the bridge (e.g. Lidl, Hadnock Rd). It is hoped that the Wye Bridge car park will be open and functioning in September.

MCC are working with local businesses individually or through the Chamber of Commerce to ensure suitable management of the road closure and to reduce the impact on local businesses.

They are also working with essential services such as social services, meals on wheels, carers so that arrangements can be made ahead of time. They are also working with the local schools.

They have a plan for any potential flood risk or evacuation process of the caravan site by the river should it be required during the road closure period.

The county council have asked Monmouth Town Council to support them with communications in the run up to the closure and during the closure.

If there are any businesses that may be impacted by the closure that are not on the county council’s radar, email Mark Hand, MCC’s Head of Placemaking, Regeneration, Highways and Flooding or contact MCC so that they can be included in any consultation.

The application for the road closure is out with the statutory bodies at the moment and so it is likely to be eight weeks before they have the closure confirmed but the preparation is starting now.

Cllr. Catrin Maby, Monmouthshire County Council’s Cabinet Member with responsibility for Highways, said: “We are working to ensure that the essential resurfacing works of the Wye Bridge are planned to minimise the unavoidable impact on local residents and businesses. We are asking the contractors who are appointed to work in shifts 24 hours a day to reduce the time the bridge is closed. Sadly as a result of the need to remove so much of the bridge surface the bridge cannot be opened for normal traffic until the work is complete. We apologise for the inevitable inconvenience but would like to assure residents and businesses that everything will be done to ensure this project is completed as a priority in good time. Access will be maintained for pedestrians and for cyclists who dismount.” 

A Q&A page with information about the works can be found on the Council’s website and information will also be available at www.monmouthshire.gov.uk/wye-bridge-resurfacing/ this page will be updated as the project progresses. Follow the Council’s account on Facebook and Twitter for updates.