What action is the Minister taking to improve transport for the residents of Chepstow?
The Welsh Government are currently working alongside Monmouthshire County Council to deliver the WelTAG Stage 2 Chepstow Transport Study. The public consultation which is being held virtually was opened on 2 November and will close on 13 December. A number of options are being reviewed as part of the Stage 2 commission including (but not limited to) active travel upgrades along the A48 and A466 corridors in Chepstow, the potential for a transport hub, rail and local bus upgrades and a bypass. The final recommendations are expected in Spring 2021.
Improved rail services to Bristol and the P&R Rail have been recognised as a possible solution to help achieve a modal shift along the A48 corridor. This is currently being reviewed as part of the Chepstow Transport Study. In addition, new and improved Active Travel routes for walking and cycling alongside a walking-friendly high street and bike share scheme are being reviewed as part of the Study.
The improvement works at Highbeech roundabout have been split into two stages - short-term measures and long-term measures. The short-term measures which included transport modelling of the roundabout and permanent minor highway improvements to increase the capacity of the roundabout was completed in July. The long-term measures continue to be developed as part of a WelTAG Stage 1 commission with final publication expected in January 2021. Furthermore, through consultation with Transition Chepstow, an improved lane guidance scheme will be constructed in February 2021 to help improve lane discipline for vehicles.
A new M48 junction possibly at Hayes Gate/St Pierre golf course is currently being reviewed forming part of the WelTAG Stage 1 Highbeech roundabout commission. This leads on from a recommendation from the Highways England joint work to remove the tolls. It has been recognised that implementation of this option would only give light relief to the operational capacity of Highbeech roundabout and therefore slightly better improved access into and out of Chepstow. However, if this option was linked to future development sites in south-east Monmouth, greater benefits could be realised including a more suitable location for access.
We have made arrangements with Monmouthshire County Council to continue to provide a regular hourly weekday and Saturday bus link for commuters and regular travellers linking Chepstow to Bristol city centre via Cribbs Causeway. This service replaces a previously commercial service which was withdrawn at short notice by Stagecoach buses at the onset of the Covid 19 pandemic. We are working with Monmouthshire Council to put in place a longer term arrangement for this travel corridor.