A 20 MILE-per-hour speed limit could be the solution to Chepstow’s traffic troubles.

Concerns about traffic in Chepstow “reached a peak” last week, as frustrations about the town’s traffic problems were raised in a meeting.

Traffic issues were high on the agenda at the packed meeting at the Drill Hall, Chepstow last Wednesday (10th February). The meeting, convened by St Mary’s Ward councillor, Peter Farley, saw concerns raised over gridlock in the town as well as along the A48 coming in and out of Chepstow. The topics of discussion also included speeding on Bridge Street and pollution in the town.

Solutions discussed at the meeting included proposing a 20mph speed limit through the lower part of the town, a weight limit and traffic calming measures. 

Residents were also urged to fill in Gwent Police’s ‘Your Voice Survey’ to encourage a focus on speed cameras in Chepstow by the police. 

Catherine Fookes, Labour AM Candidate for the Monmouth Constituency, who was at the meeting, said: “It’s obvious by the turn out at the meeting that traffic issues in Chepstow have really reached a peak.

“I have already invited the minister responsible for Transport in Wales, Edwina Hart AM, to come and see for herself some of the issues and will also be meeting with residents who want to work on transport issues in Chepstow.” 

Ms Hart has previously come under pressure to explain why the speed restriction on the A48 bridge at Chepstow is to be retained at 50mph.

Chepstow Town Council and local residents had campaigned for more than two years to lower the speed limit from 50mph to 30mph on the bridge, citing the dangers that pupils face walking to Wyedean School alongside the busy road. A decision was made in November that the speed limit would remain the same, but that a pedestrian railing would be installed.

Residents tired of Chepstow’s traffic problems also voiced their concerns with a petition to build a bypass.

The petition, addressed to David Davies MP and Nick Ramsay AM, along with Forest of Dean MP Mark Harper, shot quickly to over 500 signatures.

One resident wrote: “I am signing because the situation is steadily deteriorating - constant queues with little option to relieve the traffic flow. The traffic lights at the Tesco junction needs re-phasing to alleviate traffic build up.”

Another said: “Until Chepstow has a bypass it cannot expand with new homes which are desperately needed for the future. It is holding up progress.”