Bridge closed for safety reasons after new cracks in structure are discovered
Twm Owen, Local Democracy Reporter
A bridge linking Wales and England has been closed to pedestrians months after vehicles were banned.
An inspection this week has uncovered new cracks in the 210-year-old grade I-listed iron arch Old Wye Bridge that connects Bridge Street, in Chepstow, with Castleford Hill on the opposite bank of the Wye.
Highway crews from Monmouthshire County Council are working to put the closure in place from this evening, Friday March 27
It was closed to vehicles in October on safety grounds after a crack was discovered on one of its pillars. At the time Monmouthshire County Council said closure of the single lane bridge could be in place for up to 18 months.
It has now taken the step to completely close the bridge as several new cracks have appeared cast-iron structure. The council said advice from specialist engineers is this poses a significant risk to pedestrians.
The closure has also been highlighted as adding to traffic delays and congestion which often blight Chepstow.
The council said: “The recommendation, on the grounds of safety, is that we close the bridge to all users with immediate effect.”
The council said it will continue to work with the engineers to “find solutions”.
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It’s day is done.
I suggest building a new bridge and naming it the Princess of Wales bridge.
I remember noticing that this bridge looked a bit rusty when I first walked over it. As that was over fifty years ago, you could argue that in fact it’s lasted rather well!
The blue bridge over the A484 near Llanelli is rusted through at the joints too. No money going in to our existing infrastructure it would seem. Lots of new projects getting payed for though. These inevitably run over budget costing the tax payers more. The roads in Cardiff are turning to gravel tracks but there’s money for a cycle and pedestrian bridge over the taff that’s not really needed. Apparently at a estimated £9 million.
WTF!
This should make the A48 through Chepstow a fun experience for the commuters in the morning.
As an industrial painter from Wales. I’ve been wondering when all the steel structures were going to start failing. Most of, if not all my work is in England. You’d think the only place with steel is in England the amount of difference in workload, just by going over the water. Trying to find work in Wales is quite hard sometimes