Calls are being made for a third Severn crossing to ease traffic congestion around Chepstow. Monmouthshire MP Catherine Fookes and Forest of Dean MP Matt Bishop have highlighted the issue in meetings with Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood.
Ms Fookes said: “As MP, I am constantly listening to the residents of Monmouthshire and raising their concerns with the relevant government ministers. One of the key issues for Chepstow residents is traffic congestion, and I was pleased to bring this to the attention of the UK Roads Minister, Lillian Greenwood.
“As we know, a significant portion of the traffic in Chepstow comes from the Forest of Dean. Because of this, a bypass may not actually alleviate the problem and instead move the bottleneck elsewhere. Instead, exploring the possibility of a third Severn crossing between Lydney and Sharpness could be a more effective solution.”
Ms Fookes said she raised this with Lillian Greenwood and will “continue to push the government to take action on this issue”.
Following the meeting, Mr Bishop said: “Traffic congestion in the Forest of Dean has been a long-standing issue. Talks about a Chepstow bypass have been ongoing since the 1980s, but progress has been slow. This issue has been overlooked for far too long, but I am determined to drive change. Minister Lilian Greenwood has shown a willingness to consider our proposals, which is a positive step forward.”
He added: “I want the Forest of Dean to thrive with sustainable growth, better employment opportunities, improved access to education, and enhanced connectivity to the motorway network. I urge the Forest of Dean District Council and Gloucestershire County Council to work with me in finding the best solution for the area.”
Pic: Paul Nicholas/Dreamstime
