HIGHWAYS chiefs have moved to reassure motorists that the old Wye Bridge in?Chepstow will re-open next month – despite an official announcement that the contractor's deadline has been extended until the beginning of 2016.

The closure of the bridge to vehicles at Chepstow for maintenance has caused major headaches for motorists travelling along the A48 from the Forest.

Queues stretching back some two miles on the main road from the bridge and gridlock outside Wyedean School and Offa's Mead Academy in Sedbury have become regular occurrances.

A reader from Woolaston contacted the Review after spotting a road traffic order issued by Monmouthshire County Council.

It stated that the current order would expire on July 26 and that it was being extended until January 26 next year.

A council spokesman said: "Due to the age of the bridge, tidal variation, the volume of defects encountered and the complexity of the scaffold, it is estimated that the works will be completed two weeks later than programmed.

"The extension of the road traffic order by six months is a routine action by the Welsh ministers and is a contingency should any unforeseen problems be encountered. 

"The works are expected to be complete by the end of August and at that point the road closure can be removed."

•The whole of Chepstow town below the town arch will be closed to traffic on the evening of Wednesday, August 5 between 4pm and midnight for a national cycling event.

Three town centre car parks will be closed on Thursday, July 30 in connection with the event.

The Castle Dell car park in Bridge Street will be closed from 6am until midnight while the Drill Hall – in Lower Church Street – and Nelson Street car parks will be off-limits between 4pm and midnight.

Monmouthshire Council has set up a residents' helpline on 01633 644446 and information will be available on the council's Facebook page.