SERIOUS safety concerns have been raised about the westbound Chepstow exit of the M48 at junction 2.

Monmouth Assembly Member Nick Ramsay has written to the Welsh Government's Transport Minister, Edwina Hart AM to express these conerns.

Mr Ramsay is urging the Minister to reconsider the new priority setting, which he describes as "extremely dangerous."

Speaking last week he said: "Several constituents have contacted me to complain about the change of priority at this junction.

"Previously it was possible to use both lanes to exit from the old Severn Bridge to Chepstow but this year, this has been changed.

"Vehicles can now only use the left hand side lane if they want to go to the business park, leaving the right hand side lane for vehicles wanting to go on the M48, on the A466 towards Chepstow or on Conway Drive towards Thornwell.

"The situation creates traffic queues blocking the two lanes on the bridge, sometimes right up to the middle of the bridge.

"One constituent has described the situation as 'terribly dangerous' as the drivers don't always realise there is a queue to exit and vehicles are forced to break very suddenly.

"There have apparently been several near misses and constituents say they fear it is only a matter of time before an accident occurs.

"I am not sure why this change has been enforced and have asked the Minister to investigate the issue as a matter of urgency, with a view to reconsider this new, very dangerous priority setting."