Chepstow Town Councillors listened to a heart-felt plea at last Wednesday's full council meeting from Wyedean School students campaigning for a lowered speed limit on the A48 Wye Bridge.

The argument revved up the old issue in the council of how Chepstow's roads are coping, and are set to cope, with increased traffic flow.

Anna Dewer, 16, approached councillors on behalf of the school's student campaign group with an emotive speech pleading for help to lower the limit from its current 50mph, to 30mph.

"We find the speed on the bridge completely unacceptable. 300 Wyedean students cross the bridge each day, that is one quarter of the whole school," said Anna. 

"On average, two pupils are injured on this road every year, do we need to wait for someone to be killed?"

"We have a petition with 400 signatures on it, and the fact the 200 of those came from one parent's evening shows how strongly people feel about this.

"The overwhelming support we have received should be taken seriously," she said.

The sixth-form students have chosen this issue for their yearly campaign cause, and were joined by sixth-form mentor Isla Rendell in the council chambers.

The discussion gathered speed as councillors discussed the struggle of working with several authorities – Monmouthshire County Council, Gloucestershire County Council, and the Welsh Assembly's South Wales Trunk Road Agency (SWTRA) – to find one who would claim ownership of the bridge, which spans the England/ Wales divide.

"This is not an issue within the jurisdiction of one particular agency," said Councillor Peter Farley.

"I am disappointed with the attitude of the Welsh Assembly," added Cllr Ned Heywood. "They have actually said that the bridge is too narrow for railings to be installed.

"The bridge was built with the idea that between three and four people would be walking over it each hour, not 300 school children.

"The SWTRA were actually under the impression that the road had a 40mph limit."

Cllr Farley added: "We need to communicate very loudly with our AM and MP on behalf of the school children".

Councillors expressed worry at the county council's Local Development Plan (LDP) which, if approved by the Welsh Assembly, could see the construction of 240 new homes on the Fairfield Mabey site, on Station Road, Chepstow, increasing the traffic flow at the already busy junction close to Tesco and the A48 bridge.

"Town councillors turn up at county council with their other hat on and approve the LDP that totally contradicts what were are trying to do here," fumed Cllr Armand Watts.

Addressing the school campaigning team, Mayor Paul Rutter said: "As a council we are more than happy to accept your petition and work with you on this issue. We will use our best efforts to support you and provide representation towards the relevent parties on your behalf.

"We recognise the difficulties you have and you have our wholehearted support."