THE Welsh Government has confirmed it is to investigate the possibility of de-trunking the A40 road through Abergavenny.

In a letter to Monmouth MP David Davies, the Welsh Minister for Economy, Science and Transport, Edwina Hart AM, said she had asked her officials to investigate the issues regarding the de-trunking of the A40 following her recent visit to Abergavenny and to look into the potential for providing an alternative route for through traffic via the A4143 over Llanfoist Bridge.

However, the minister warned that various issues will need to be considered in conjunction with Monmouthshire County Council as the A4143 over Llanfoist Bridge is a local road and not part of the trunk road network and the authority needs to give its approval for the road to be upgraded.

The authority also has to agree to take over the responsibility of Monmouth Road, Cross Street, Monk Street, Park Road and Brecon Road if the A40 de-trunking scheme were to go ahead.

Mr Davies, who has been campaigning for a de-trunking scheme since 2002 when he was an Assembly Member, described the announcement as 'fantastic news'.

"This issue has been debated for more than a decade and I am absolutely delighted the Welsh Government has agreed to consider requests for the A40 to be re-classified as part of a wider review of all trunk roads in Wales.

"I'm aware the Minister recently visited Abergavenny to see for herself the dangers faced by people trying to cross Monmouth Road and I would like to commend local resident and County Councillor Maureen Powell, who has been fighting very hard for a pedestrian crossing and pressing the case for the de-trunking of the A40 through the town centre.

"Obviously, Monmouth AM Nick Ramsay and myself will continue to support Councillor Powell to bring about these much-needed safety improvements and I look forward to action being taken."

Councillor Bryan Jones, Monmouthshire's cabinet member for highways said: "Nobody is against this scheme and I personally think it would be a really good idea to re-route the A40 away from the town centre.

"However there are two issues that need to be considered. For the safety of pedestrians walking over Llanfoist Bridge a separate footbridge is needed, which Cadw, the Welsh Heritage body, has objected to in the past. This bridge would also have a cost implication.

"And secondly we would have to ensure that any maintenance work needed on the current A40 town centre route is completed before the authority assumes responsibility for the road.

"In principle I welcome both schemes, but we do need to ask a lot of questions over the financial implications before the current status on both roads is changed."