A40 Leys Bend Rockfall

Latest updates

• 18 October 2024

  Preparation work

  Our preparation work to install traffic management will begin on 29 October. 

  This work will focus on installing safety barriers, temporary CCTV cameras and crossover locations, and will allow us to put in place a contraflow system in November.

  So our teams can safely carry out this work, the following overnight closures will be in place between 9pm and 6am:

  • 29 October: A40 eastbound closed between Dixton roundabout and Whitchurch
  • 30 & 31 October and 1 & 4 November: A40 westbound closed between Whitchurch and Dixton roundabout

  This means that the westbound carriageway will be reduced to one lane from 6am on the morning of 31 October 2024. A free recovery service will be in place during this time. 

  Clearly signed diversion routes will be in place for both HGV and long-distance traffic. 

  View diversion routes.

  Please remember that closures can change at short notice. You can check the latest information on our daily closures page or find live travel information on our Traffic England website. Our travel alerts give details of live incidents on our network.

   

• 25 July 2024

  Update: traffic management for debris removal

  We’re progressing our plans for the removal of the rockfall debris from the A40 at Leys Bend, while also designing a scheme for the long-term solution which is currently planned to start in early 2025.  

  What’s happening?

  Since the rockfall took place, we’ve installed a concrete barrier between lanes 1 and 2 on the eastbound carriageway to prevent any of the fallen material rolling or washing onto the live lane. It’ll also ensure the area is kept safe and traffic can keep moving. We’ve also gained legal access to the privately owned hillside. Surveys will continue to take place to monitor the stability of the hillside.

  

  When we clear the rock and loose debris from the area, we’ll be removing vegetation in the area immediately around it.  Ecological and environmental surveys will be carried out before and during the work in consultation with Natural England. We’ll also ensure vegetation clearance is limited to only what is necessary, minimising the impact to the environment and wildlife.

  Once vegetation, soil and rock have been removed from the location of the fall, we’ll be carrying out detailed examinations of the slope to allow us to determine the most appropriate method to manage the long-term risk in this area.  This may include netting, rock bolts or a safety fence. 

  When will this work take place?

  A programme of work has been produced in consultation with Herefordshire Council, Monmouthshire County Council and South Wales Trunk Road Agent, to safely remove the rockfall from the carriageway.

  The rockfall will be removed in October and November 2024 which minimises the scheme’s impact on local residents and the travelling public. by avoiding other schemes affecting the road network in Monmouth as well as the peak tourist season. The design of the remedial works will then be carried out and its construction will start in early 2025. 

  What’s a contraflow?

  We’ll use a contraflow system to keep the A40 open in both directions while the rockfall is removed, the area is made safe, and surveys are carried out on the hillside.

  

  A contraflow is when the road is shut in one direction and traffic is then moved over to drive on the other side of the road to share the remaining carriageway. This provides us with a clear working area that enables us to work more safely and efficiently.  For this scheme, the westbound carriageway will be kept open to enable us to keep one lane of traffic in each direction running while we carry out our work.

  We might need to temporarily close the carriageways overnight. In these instances, a clearly signed diversion route will be put in place for both local and HGV traffic.

  Diversion Route

  No daytime closures are currently planned and so diversion routes will be used overnight.

  

  All HGV and long-distance traffic will be diverted via the M5 and M4.  Local traffic will be diverted from Abergavenny on the A465 to Hereford and then the A49 to Ross on Wye

  Where can I find out more?

  This week we’ll be holding Public Information Events in Monmouth where you can find out more about the project and ask any questions that you may have. Events will be taking place at the following locations:

  Council Chamber, Shire Hall, Agincourt Square, Monmouth, NP25 3DY	25 July 2024	11.00am to 7.00pm
  Council Chamber, Shire Hall, Agincourt Square, Monmouth, NP25 3DY	26 July 2024	10.00am to 4.00pm
  Monnow Bridge, Monnow Street, Monmouth, NP25 5ES	27 July 2024	10.00am to 2.00pm

   

  Each exhibition will be attended by members of the National Highways project team and the scheme’s contractors, who’ll be available to discuss any specific queries you may have.

  You can also call our 24/7 Customer Contact Centre on 0300 123 5000, or email info@nationalhighways.co.uk

   

• 15 July 2024

  Come and meet our team

  We’re developing plans to remove rockfall debris from the A40 at Leys Bend.

  We're also designing a scheme to prevent similar rockfalls happening in future. We expect to start this in early 2025.  

  We've consulted with Herefordshire Council and Monmouthshire County Council. Together we aim to minimise the impact of our debris clearing on:

  • the road network in Monmouth
  • the peak tourist season.    

  Public information exhibitions

  We're holding a series of events in July where you can come along to find out more about the project. Our project team and the scheme contractors will be available answer your questions. 

  Events will be taking place at:

  Council Chamber, Shire Hall, Agincourt Square, Monmouth NP25 3DY

  25 July 2024, 11am to 7pm 

  26 July 2024, 10am to 4pm 

  Monnow Bridge, Monnow Street, Monmouth, NP25 5ES

  27 July 2024, 10am to 2pm 

  Get in touch 

  If you’d like more information about this work, please call our 24/7 Customer Contact Centre on 0300 123 5000, or email info@nationalhighways.co.uk.  

• 18 March 2024

  Eastbound carriageway - update

  On Monday 19 February, we successfully opened lane two on the A40 eastbound carriageway with a reduced speed limit of 40mph. Lane one currently remains closed, and we’ve installed a temporary concrete barrier to separate the area from traffic and stop any material from falling into lane two.

  We’re regularly monitoring network performance and traffic in the area to understand if there are any additional measures we can put in place to improve journeys for road users.

  Our team is currently working on plans for repairing the hillside and rockface above the A40. Due to the complex nature of this incident, and loose material on the hillside, it’s likely this work will take several months to plan and complete.

  Repair work will be designed and led by engineering specialists, to ensure the long-term stability of the hillside. In the meantime, we aim to keep lane two open to traffic.

  As our survey work progresses, additional risks may be identified meaning we’ll need to install road closures to put in place safety precautions. Should this be necessary, we’ll issue regular updates and make sure disruption to the local community and travelling public are kept to a minimum.