MADAM,
I refer to the article in The Monmouthshire Beacon (March 8th) concerning traffic problems.
It seems a shame that councillors are willing to shoot off from the hip without knowing the full facts concerning traffic management problems on the A40 dual carriageway.
When an accident occurs on the A40 north or southbound carriageways between the traffic lights and Dixton roundabout there will be inevitable traffic delays. Whilst I sympathise with those who are affected, there is little the Police can do about obstructions in the carriageway which cannot be moved for one reason or another. The safety of persons at the incident site is of prime importance and will always be.
With regard to the specifics of the article. An incident occurred on the northbound carriageway of the A40 whereby a lorry shed its load of fertiliser. There were concerns for chemicals getting into watercourses and appropriate action was taken to prevent this. The effect of traffic management at the scene only dictated a full closure for a very short period of time - limited traffic flow was still maintained.
How do the Police overreact to a fatal road accident? There are protracted enquiries to be made and officers doing so must be protected and evidence needs to be collated. If that necessitates closure of a road then there is no alternative but to do so. In such circumstances no one is more concerned for the road to reopen than the Police and we seek to do so at the earliest opportunity.
As for them "getting their fingers out" officers are not liable for placing out diversion signs. That is a task which is the responsibility of Gwent Consultancy who are properly equipped to do so.
The reopening of Wyebridge Street at times of problems is just not viable unless those who advocate such want more accidents to occur.
The answer to the protracted problems which incidents cause for those wishing to get to Wyesham and the Wye Valley are not easily solved. Until someone does come up with a viable solution to the problem then councillors should perhaps be more circumspect in allowing their feelings to be published without taking adequate thought on the matter.
P Davies,
Inspector,
Monmouth Police