No proposals as yet for Chepstow's Highbeech roundabout

No proposals for changes to Chepstow’s notorious Highbeech roundabout have yet been made as a result of an “elongated” Welsh Government study. 

It has been examining how traffic could be better managed at the roundabout where the A48 crosses the A466 Wye Valley link road under its Welsh Transport Appraisal Guidance Study approach known as ‘WelTag’. 

Chepstow Castle and Larkfield councillor, and deputy leader of Monmouthshire County Council, Paul Griffiths said consultants are producing reports for the Welsh Government which it shares with him and council officers “on occasions”. 

“The work is ongoing and has not yet reached a stage where reports make proposals. When they reach that stage those proposals will be published and subject to public consultation,” said the Labour councillor. 

He was responding to a question from Conservative councillor for the town’s St Kingsmark ward, Christopher Edwards, who had asked for an update on the study. 

Cllr Edwards said he understood a report had already been produced, which prompted more work to be undertaken, but said that hadn’t been shared with local councillors and asked for a date when local councillors will be briefed on the study and provided with documents. 

He said Cllr Griffiths had previously referred to that as a “draft report” at the council’s January meeting and is is referred to in the official minutes. 

Cllr Griffiths said he didn’t “recall that phrase” and said: “If I have previously mentioned a draft report my language would have been lose.” 

He said the ‘WelTag’ study requires “all possible options to improve the movement of people and goods through Chepstow being identified and appraised. 

“I anticipated it would be an elongated process but I’ve been taken aback at how long that process is.”