23rd February 2021
Monmouthshire County Council has confirmed that essential safety works are to undertaken in April to stabilise the rock face above the A466 between St Arvans and Tintern. The work, to protect road users from dangerous rock fall, is planned to commence on 6th April 2021. It is anticipated the project, which will involve rock being removed, will require a four week full road closure. Following this period it is expected there will be a further two-week period during which there will be a single lane closure, with traffic lights controlling passage through this section of the road.
Councillor Jane Pratt, Monmouthshire County Council cabinet member for Infrastructure said: “It is essential that we undertake these important safety works as efficiently and quickly as possible. We are making every effort to ensure that the works are started early April and completed in the shortest time possible. It will however be subject to final approval from Welsh Government and contractors being able to meet the resource required to complete the works safely owing to potential impact of COVID-19 on their workforce.
“We have had to time the works to avoid disturbing bats while they are hibernating. We appreciate the inconvenience that the road closure will bring to residents travelling through the area, but we must undertake this essential work to keep road users safe. There will be a diversion in place, details of which will be widely publicised nearer the time, and we are grateful to the local community for their patience and understanding. We will be continuing to work with local businesses to support them as needed.”
Further details of the road closure, including the diversion route, will be available on the council’s website at monmouthshire.gov.uk prior to the works commencing.