Calls for action as Chepstow traffic worsens since Severn Bridge tolls were scrapped

People living in and around the town of Chepstow are calling for action over congestion in the town, which they say has worsened since the Severn Bridge tolls were abolished over a year ago.

The tolls were scrapped in December 2018 - a welcome decision for many. But latest figures from Highways England show traffic on the M48 Severn Bridge - which connects Aust with Chepstow - has since increased by around 32%.

Tim Melville, from the community group Transition Chepstow, says increased numbers living in the area and a lack of infrastructure development has resulted in gridlock.

He told ITV Wales: "As [Chepstow's] gradually built up, it's been getting worse and worse. But the crunch thing has been the tolls coming off the bridge. People are moving from Bristol to Chepstow and the surrounding area, and unfortunately now we're getting gridlock".

The Monmouthshire town neighbours the English county of Gloucestershire, and is popular with commuters working in the nearby cities of Bristol, Newport and Cardiff.

But in order to access the M4 and M48, most living in the surrounding area have no choice but to travel directly through Chepstow town centre.

Kate Buckley commutes from the village of Tutshill, near Chepstow, to Yate each day Credit: ITV Cymru Wales

Kate Buckley lives in the village of Tutshill, on the outskirts of Chepstow, and drives to work each day in Yate.

She says traffic has become much worse recently and she now has to leave for work nearly two hours before she starts to get in on time.

This video, filmed by local councillor Dale Rooke earlier in January, shows the build-up of traffic going into Chepstow from Gloucestershire during the morning rush hour.

What about air pollution?

A report published by the World Health Organisation in 2018 listed Chepstow among the most polluted areas of the UK.

Hardwick Hill on the A48, a traffic hotspot in the town during the daily rush-hour, was found to exceed air pollution limits also set by the World Health Organisation in 2016.

More than 300 people took part in a meeting to tackle congestion problems. Credit: ITV Cymru Wales

Campaigners say people and politicians will have to work together for solutions to be found.

Last week, more than 300 people took part in a public meeting to discuss alternatives to the problem.

Traffic queues on Hardwick Hill in Chepstow during the morning commute Credit: ITV Cymru Wales / Mike Griffiths

One of those who attended the meeting also blamed a recent increase in the number of houses being built in the area, and a lack of local work meaning people are forced to commute to nearby cities.

"There's been much more housing, but the other thing is, there is not work locally. That's reduced over the years, so people do have to travel much further afield to work."

Monmouthshire and Gloucestershire Councils and the Welsh Government say they're working to find a solution - which could include a new bypass being built to divert traffic out of the town centre.

A spokesperson for the Welsh Government said: “We are working with partners to address congestion in Chepstow. Part of this includes considering a bypass, as one of a number of options as well as ensuring alternative forms of transport are more readily available, including public transport and active travel.”