Residents of Forge Mews, a quiet residential street in Newport once considered one of the city's most desirable spots, say they have been "living like prisoners" for five years after the council closed the only road access to their homes over serious safety concerns. Progress has been minimal, leaving residents feeling trapped while property values plummet.
Bridge closure and lack of progress
In August 2021, Bassaleg Bridge, which provides the only road access to Forge Mews, was closed after inspectors identified safety issues. After extensive discussions, it was decided a new bridge would need to be built. However, residents have no idea when this will happen. Newport City Council has stated it cannot afford the required works and is seeking additional funding.
Martin Bekker, 50, a resident, said: "Elderly residents have been left housebound, and when there are emergencies, the fire engines and ambulances can't access our houses. We can't park outside our houses or use our driveways, so we have to park about a 10-minute walk away." He added that despite being promised a free parking permit two and a half years ago, he has yet to receive one and has incurred significant parking fines.
Daily life and challenges
Residents report being unable to perform normal activities such as parking close to home, receiving food or gift deliveries, having bins properly collected, or getting home repairs done. Sarah Williams, 58, who has lived at Forge Mews for 25 years, said: "We are trapped in here. You can't get your shopping delivered, can't get any new furniture delivered. I am desperate for a new kitchen, but it is physically impossible for me to get tradespeople here."
Julie Collins, 61, expressed concerns about emergency access. She recalled an incident where an ambulance could not reach a neighbor with bone cancer, forcing paramedics to wheel her in a chair in the rain. Residents also have to carry their bins up to 100 meters on collection days, leading to a rat infestation at one point.
Property values and financial impact
The bridge closure has severely affected property values. Ms. Williams noted that homes are now "unmortgage-able" and can only be sold to cash buyers. She had hoped to sell her property after her mother's death but found it valued thousands of pounds less than it would be with road access. Residents continue to pay full council tax, which Mr. Bekker called "crazy," suggesting a reduction would be appropriate.
Council response and future plans
A Newport City Council spokesperson said: "The council is continuing to work on finding a solution to the bridge issue at Forge Mews. Following an options report, we identified a preferred solution to replace the existing bridge with a new one. We are trying to source funding to carry out this work. The costs of constructing a new bridge are far greater than the resources available to us." The council acknowledged residents' frustrations and said it has improved communications, addressed waste collection issues, and designed extra signage for installation this summer. Emergency services have been provided with the code to access the gate from the A467.
