THE two month closure of the B4246 between Govilon and Llanfoist has come as a complete surprise to many residents says a local councillor

The road between Govilon and Llanfoist is set to be closed for two months while National Grid work on the refurbishment of the overhead power line between Walham and Cilfynydd which it says will help to maintain the electricity supply and ensure that residents of South Wales ‘have the power they need at the flick of a switch’.

The closure was highlighted by Llanfoist?Fawr councillor Giles Howard who said that while he appreciated that the work had to be undertaken - and realised that many residents of Llanfoist would be grateful for the reduction of traffic - he was concerned that the road closure would cause a great deal of inconvenience.

“ I’m not aware that when I and a handful of other members attended the consultation session last year, that the closure of this section was identified. I had the impression that it would be a handful of rural and lesser trafficked lanes.

“This begs the question of which residents were notified as many who will be affected have been taken by complete surprise. I would suggest that there ought to be a wide letter drop at least to the whole of Llanfoist, Govilon and Blaenavon,” said Councillor Howard.

Councillor Howard, who represents Llanfoist Fawr ward, pressed the National Grid for answers, adding that the closure would cause ‘much inconvenience’ to locals.

In an email to the company, he said, “I am surprised that the road will be closed for an extensive period of two months. I note that it will be open from time to time, but this is only helpful if people know about it.

“How will you let residents know at either end when the road is open so that they don’t need to take the diversion route? Could you not guarantee that it could be open during the rush hour/school transport period?

“Similarly will there be sufficient advance warning of closure so that we don’t end up with people getting to the closed section and having to turn around?

Councillor Howard also drew attention to local concerns about maintaining pedestrian and cycle access and asked if the cycle track and the canal towpath would remain open.

He also highlighted growing concerns about public transport and asked if a revised timetable had been produced.

A spokesman from the National Grid told Councillor Giles Howard via email that, “We’re unable to provide guarantees regarding keeping the road open at certain times. When we booked the road closure with the council we were asked for a date range. If we’re able to finish the works before end of the booked time then we will.

“The issue is that we have to leave equipment on site, even when we’re not working, and our concern is to make sure that a resident driving under the line wouldn’t be put at risk by our equipment. Emergency services will always have access.”

“There will be signs at both ends of the road to make commuters aware of the road closure.

“The road closure will only be in place just after the entrance to Alun Griffiths.

“Commuters who drive onto the road section marked in red will still have plenty of time to turn around before they reach the actual road closure.”

 “We’ll need to close some sections of road for a short time so that we can safely access power lines. 

“We’ve planned the road closures with Monmouthshire County Council and signposted diversions will be put in place.”

The road closures will start in March and electricity supplies will not be affected by this work.

The B4246 is set to shut for the extended period so workers can carry out ‘once in a generation’ works by refurbishing a power line which runs across the stretch, with the project due to finish in its entirety early next year

Dates and locations of the road closures will be available on the project website www.nationalgrid.com/cilfynydd, and residents in the affected areas will be contacted directly.