SOME residents of Chepstow Old Town are arguing that the Old Wye Bridge should be closed permanently, with access for emergency vehicles and buses only.

The bridge is currently closed for vital maintenance work, but residents say traffic along Bridge Street, St Ann Street and Lower Church Street has been dramatically reduced, lowering noise and improving the ambience of the area.

In a letter to the Beacon, residents have urged others to write to their local county councillors about the issue, asking for tougher weight and speed restrictions in Chepstow Old Town.

County Councillor Peter Farley, whose ward encompasses the Chepstow Old Town area, said:

“At this exact moment there’s nothing about this in my mailbox. If residents want to discuss this, the area is within my ward.

“I think it’s an interesting idea. It would however require a great deal of consultation, and I have no idea what the general feelings are around it.

“We must think of others that may be effected, for example the people who use it to get to Tutshill. Also motorists will use the A48 as an alternative route, resulting in a greater volume of cars and therefore traffic. I wouldn’t say yes or no until I know more about the proposals though, because next year is the 200th anniversary of the bridge.”

When asked about how a permanent closure might effect their business, pub owners in the area had mixed reactions.

Mr Guillemard, landlord of the Chepstow Castle Inn said: “The closure has so far been a nightmare, straight away after the Thursday it happened, there have been losses. It has stopped potential customers from driving past and popping in for lunch. It being closed until December seems bad enough. I think it would be a bad idea.”

Debbie Burch, landlady of The Three Tuns added: “It’s hard to say but it does seem a bit quieter than this time last year. The negative point was that at the beginning of the repair works the signage was wrong as it said that whole road was closed, so people were reversing up past The Five Alls. I’m not sure how much passing trade we get on the road, but where we’re stationed on the hill, the speed of passing cars is pretty intense; so I understand the points made. I don’t think the lower parts of town would suffer much if the bridge was closed permanently.”