In 2018, there were three closures of the A466; In February the road was closed for eight weeks at the Livox quarry site entrance to minimise landslip and rockfalls by carrying out ’discreet scaling’ on the rock face and then work was undertaken to make safe the rock face. Temporary traffic lights put in place are still in effect today.
Also that month the road south of Redbrook towards Bigsweir Bridge was shut for eight days while Gloucestershire County Council carried out resurfacing work.
In September, Monmouthshire County Council (MCC) undertook vegetation and rock scaling works as part of investigations into the stability of a section of the ground above the A466 near the former Livox quarry entrance.
Now news that another road closure for up to 12 weeks from 8th May will cause disruption to commuters yet again.
Steve Baldwin, Projects Engineer with MCC said that while the geology consists of reasonably stable material at the base of the slope, above this area the surface is fractured and poor. "These unfavourable conditions mean that further works are required to stabilise the ground completely. After further testing, design and approvals the proposed forthcoming closure will enable us to undertake and implement these repairs. Unfortunately, the road at this location is too narrow and confined to undertake the works safely without a full closure," he added.
Diversions are yet to be announced, but previous suggestions took traffic up the Staunton Road and accessed Chepstow and the West via Lydney.