Stalled bypass sparks push for cross-border buses

An on-demand minibus service could be launched between England and Wales, amid warnings a new £75m bypass will not be built "any time soon".

In 2021, Monmouthshire, Gloucestershire and Forest of Dean councils proposed a single carriageway bypass on the A48 to ease traffic gridlock during peak times.

But the scheme lacks funding, as a new report reveals the Chepstow bypass project is not listed in the government's ten-year pipeline of investment plans.

In the meantime, Gloucestershire County Council councillors are looking at expanding the authority's on-demand, bookable minibus service across the border into Chepstow, Wales.

Proposals for the bypass include connecting Beachley to Sedbury and the M48 in South Gloucestershire, which would also connect with Chepstow at the eastern end of Thornwell.

But the report, presented to Monmouthshire County Council last week, suggests costs have increased from a £60m estimate in 2021 to £75m, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

It added that the project would need support from both the UK and Welsh governments, and increased housing targets allocated to Monmouthshire's neighbouring councils will create additional pressure on an already constrained road network.

Liberal Democrat councillor Roger Whyborn, who is responsible for sustainable transport at Shire Hall, said the assumption had always been that costs for a major project such as the Chepstow bypass would be raised at a national level.

He added that without that funding, "nobody sees the bridge being built any time soon due to the costs involved".

Gloucestershire County Council has instead pledged to explore "both short-term and long-term" improvements to public transport.

"In the very immediate future, one of our main aims would be to extend our Robin service across the bridge into Chepstow," Whyborn continued.

"We would also hope to do a bit more with the regular buses.

"It is an aspiration to improve cross-town buses in the Forest of Dean, which includes going over the bridge into Chepstow."

Conservative councillor Nick Evans has been campaigning for a bypass for years.

He said: "It is sad to see this report spell out the missed opportunities to work together and properly resolve Chepstow's transport problems once and for all.

"The report lays bare the complete lack of ambition from authorities on both sides of the River Wye to take a joined-up approach and provide what residents are crying out for.

"The longer both authorities kick the can down the road, the higher costs will get, and more chances to get agreement from Governments at both ends of the M4 will be missed."

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