THERE is no sign of the temporary 50mph speed limit being lifted on the A40 between the Raglan and Abergavenny roundabouts, with renewed calls for the Welsh Government to begin work on the road.

Signs have been in place telling drivers to travel no faster than 50mph on the normally 70mph limit road for over two years after first being put in place in September 2023, owing to concerns over defective central reservation barriers.

Notwithstanding that the default speed limit for UK roads is 60mph, where traffic passes in opposite directions with no central reservation, the measure 10mph slower was renewed for another 18 months earlier this year.

It will be at least August 2026 before the measure is lifted, but according to local Monmouth Senedd member Peter Fox there has been no progress on repairing the barrier.

“Whilst I appreciate the barriers are in need of work, I think it is getting somewhat ridiculous that we are now over 130 weeks down the road and nothing has been done,” said the Conservative MS.

“I have been contacted by several constituents about this since the limit came into effect, and they are quite rightly frustrated with the restrictions, as there has been no progress or communication as to when things will be done.”

In a letter to the Welsh Government, Mr Fox has requested an urgent update on a timeframe for the works.

It was initially the hope of the Welsh Government that the design for the replacement barriers would be included in the 2024/25 financial year.

“A typical commuter would see around 25 minutes added to their journey times each week by this reduced limit, which means they’ve been delayed by approximately 57 hours since these works began,” Mr Fox continued.

“I have asked the Welsh Government for a firm timetable on when these works are due to begin, be finished, and when motorists can finally have some reprieve.”