CHEPSTOW mayor, Councillor Dale Rooke has expressed his satisfaction with the work carried out on Chepstow’s ancient Wye Bridge connecting Wales with England. The historic structure was built in 1816 and will be re-opened in time for the town’s traditional wassail and Mari Lwyd ceremonies in the new year. 

Visiting the site last Tuesday (8th December) with a number of town councillors. Mayor Rooke said: “We were very pleased with the progress made on the difficult job of maintaining the 200 year old iron work and look forward to celebrating the bridge during its bicentenary year.

“The whole structure will look most impressive.”

Monmouthshire County Council’s (MCC) project engineer Steve Baldwin with Consultants Parsons Brinckerhoff and contractors Alun Griffiths demonstrated the progress made when accompanying councillors around the bridge, including an inspection underneath the arches.

MCC has shared the £700,000 costs of the maintenance painting and essential structural repairs with neighbouring Gloucestershire.

Technical difficulties, poor weather and exceptionally high tides have caused delays but the works will ensure the safety of the bridge so that it can carry traffic well into the future.

County Councillor Bryan Jones, MCC’s cabinet member with responsibility for highways, said: “This much-loved and attractive bridge has connected two communities, two counties and two countries for nearly two hundred years.  I’m sure that Chepstow, the surrounding area and indeed the whole of Monmouthshire will enthusiastically embrace its bi-centenary celebrations next year.”