THERE will be more disruption for drivers when the potholed Wye Bridge linking Monmouth with the Wye Valley and the Forest of Dean is closed for resurfacing overnight for 10 weeks.

The orginal scheme to close the bridge all day for five weeks has been scrapped after complaints from residents.

But motorists will still face having to drive up to an extra 15 miles on alternative routes across the Wye from 8pm to 6am, starting from April 22 and for up to two and a half months.

It's not the first time the 400-year-old bridge has been closed recently, with resurfacing and traffic light work also seeing vehicles banned for periods in 2023 and last year.

A Monmouthshire Council spokesperson said: "Following feedback from residents in 2023, we are applying for a Temporary Traffic Road Order to close the bridge between 8pm and 6am, Sunday to Thursday for 10 weeks.

"During this period, emergency services and pedestrians will have access to cross the bridge.

"Throughout the period, a signed diversion will be in place between 8pm and 6am.

"During the day, 6am to 8pm, the bridge will remain open for traffic.

"The road will remain open Friday and Saturday night.

"The existing road surface will be lifted in sections and re-laid with a sacrificial surface to allow traffic to cross the bridge the next day.

"When enough sections are ready the sacrificial surface will be lifted and fully resurfaced with the permanent sealed layer of tarmac."

On why the timescale has doubled, they added: "The original proposal was to remove the surface layer and then resurface with a permanent layer meaning traffic would not be allowed to travel over the bridge.

"Following the discussions with residents and businesses the new programme will be delivered under night working to allow the bridge to remain open for peak day-time traffic."