MADAM,

I write with increasing concern about the level of traffic that builds up at the junction of the A466 and A4136 before crossing over the Wye bridge to the A40.

For at least twice a day, primarily during school commute times, theses roads are choked with long queues of standing traffic for over two hours at a time. Meanwhile traffic on the A40 travelling south can often stack up back towards Symonds Yat. At times as much as 50 per cent of this traffic is heavy lorries.

Apart from the shear waste of time for these drivers there is a serious pollution implication. I doubt very much if air quality during these peak times complies with legislation. Readers may feel tempted to suggest that if I chose to live here I should shut up or move. However, I would point out that children and parents with children in push chairs walk along these routes breathing in these fumes. In addition we have two secondary schools directly alongside the A40 near the traffic lights and two prep schools close by. 

There is a solution if the political will and public pressure can be mobilised. A large number of the cars are single drivers, probably many local. Why not provide car parks along the Old Dixton Road or on the Monmouth Show Ground. (Probably similarly in Overmonnow and Osbaston.) Meanwhile, improve the roads to provide safer cycle ways.

There is also a solution to the high degree of lorry traffic travelling south via M50 and A40. Twenty years ago, I recall a prospective WMEP promising that once the Severn Crossing bridges were paid for, the tolls would be scrapped. Now we hear vague mutterings about "reducing" the charge. It is no coincidence that a far greater number of lorries and traffic generally travel south along this corridor compared to the north traffic.

Where have the county highways department been whilst this situation has built up? Asleep or just overcome by carbon monoxide fumes like the rest of us. 

If you have a child at any of these schools, contact your political representatives and demand at the very least that air pollution checks be carried out at appropriate and relevant times of day.

Sarah James

(Monmouth)