Residents outraged over lack of progress on bridge

5 hours ago

Annabelle MartinTutshill

Tutshill Residents are urging the council to attempt to open the bridge again.

BBC Image shows a group of people stand in a car park in front of a bridge, which is blocked by two barriers. The group consists of three women and two men, one of whom is with a pushchair. In the background, a river flows beneath the bridge, and beyond it stands an old castle. — Tutshill Residents are urging the council to attempt to open the bridge again.

Residents say they are angry over the lack of progress on the closure of an historic bridge that links England and Wales.

The Grade I-listed Old Wye Bridge, which spans the River Wye between Monmouthshire and Gloucestershire, has been shut to vehicles since October 2025 and to pedestrians and cyclists since March 2026 after cracks were discovered in its structural beams.

One resident, Mary Murphy, said the situation is "a complete waste," adding that the bridge - now the world's oldest five arch cast iron bridge - was "built for a purpose".

In a joint statement, Monmouthshire and Gloucestershire County Councils said safety remains their priority and acknowledged the disruption caused.

Monmoutshire County Council said it has installed cameras to study the cracks

The image shows an empty bridge crossing a muddy brown river, with exposed banks on either side. The bridge is painted light blue, with visible rust along its sides. In the distance, a town can be seen with an old castle. — Monmoutshire County Council said it has installed cameras to study the cracks

Mary Murphy said she and her fellow locals had been told the authorities "are working on it, or consulting somebody, or monitoring it but there seems to not be a tremendous will to sort it".

Monmouthshire County Council said on its website it has installed real-time monitoring systems to watch for further deterioration of the cracks.

Local business Koxy Lifestyle, based at the end of the bridge, has had to move location with the closure being the deciding factor.

Owner Eva Thyghoj, said: "It is sad though as our location was stunning [but] the support from the local people has been incredible."

Clive Russell, Chairman of Tidenham Parish Council, has called for progress

The image shows an older man wearing a grey jumper standing in front of a bridge. Behind him, a river with brown water flows beneath the structure, and an old castle can be seen in the background. — Clive Russell, Chairman of Tidenham Parish Council, has called for progress

Chairman of Tidenham Parish Council, Clive Russell, said the bridge remaining closed is "an 'extraordinarily big issue".

"Anyone could tell you that putting a camera up has never repaired a crack," he added.

In a joint statement Monmouthshire County Council and Gloucestershire County Council said: "The Old Wye Bridge remains closed while investigations and assessments continue."

"We will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available via the Monmouthshire County Council website."

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