£4.1m A40 improvement scheme approved

More than £4 million will be spent widening a “nuisance” junction in Monmouth in a bid to ease congestion on the A40.

Monmouthshire councillors offered unanimous approval to the A40 Wye Bridge Transpiration Improvement Scheme on Thursday.

The proposals include the creation of a third lane reserved for left-turning traffic only at the A40 and A466 Wye Bridge junction.

Works to improve pedestrian links at the junction, including an extended subway leading to the town centre, have also been approved.

Councillor Bryan Jones, cabinet member for county operations, said: “We all know how much of a problem traffic is on that particular stretch of road.

“It’s a big issue. It’s not good for the economy, it’s not good for tourism and it’s a complete nuisance.”

Monmouthshire council will pay £300,000 towards the scheme, with the Welsh Government paying for the rest of the £4.1 million project using a ‘pinch point’ programme fund.

A report suggested that the council would be required to cover any potential overspends during the development.

Officers had described overspends as being “common” on construction projects, which provoked concern amongst some councillors

But the meeting heard that Cllr Jones and Roger Hoggins, head of operations, would have a “second bite of the cherry” in negotiating more “favourable terms” with the Welsh Government.

Councillor Phil Murphy, cabinet member for resources, took issue with the “open-ended” nature of the agreement for the council to cover any overspend.

Similar concerns were raised by Councillor Peter Fox, but the council leader said the scheme would help tackle a problem that had worsened in recent years.

But Labour councillor Roger Harris said the Conservative cabinet’s stance on any potential overspend was “juxtaposed” with the potential of the scheme.

“We hope there won’t be an overspend but if there is, so be it,” said Cllr Harris.

“Think of the pollution that is being caused in Monmouth and the detrimental health problems that there are.

“And think of the lovely gift to Monmouth from Welsh Government. It’s an interesting juxtaposition – one we’re happy with it, one we’re not quite happy with. It’s said that we can’t be happy with both.”