Pedestrians will be able to cross the Old Wye Bridge once again from next week after engineers gave the green light for limited access to resume. The historic crossing, which links Bridge Street with Castleford Hill, was shut to all users in March after new cracks were discovered in the bridge's cast iron structure, prompting fears over public safety.
Now, following further assessments and ongoing monitoring, Monmouthshire County Council has confirmed that pedestrian access will be restored from Saturday, 20 June.
Work will begin on Tuesday, June 16, to reposition fencing and create a safe route across the bridge; allowing pedestrians to safely use the pavement and a one metre section of the carriageway on the upper side of the bridge between Chepstow and Tutshill.
The bridge has already been closed to vehicles for several months while engineers carried out increased inspections. During a structural inspection in March, several new cracks were identified in the cast iron girders. Specialist engineers warned that the defects posed a significant risk to pedestrians and advised the council to close the bridge completely.
The council further confirmed that to protect vulnerable sections of the structure, parts of the reopened route will be narrowed, with pedestrians restricted to the pavement in some locations.
The reopening follows a recent engineering report which concluded that, with digital monitoring systems in place, the bridge can safely accommodate pedestrians while further investigations continue. Engineers are now carrying out a Category III assessment - the highest level of structural safety review - involving an independent analysis of the bridge's condition.
However, the future of access to the bridge remains under review. The council has warned that the crossing may need to close again if further deterioration is detected.
Specialist engineers have also recommended closures during extreme temperatures, advising that the bridge should not be used when temperatures exceed 30°C or fall below -3°C because of the structure's sensitivity to temperature changes and loading. Additional testing will also be undertaken to assess metal fatigue at key points on the bridge, supported by remote monitoring equipment and structural modelling.
Cllr Catrin Maby, Cabinet Member for Climate Change and the Environment at Monmouthshire County Council, said: “We’re pleased to be able to safely reopen the Old Wye Bridge to pedestrians, restoring an important local link for our communities. This decision has been guided by specialist engineering advice and supported by ongoing monitoring to ensure public safety remains our top priority. We recognise how valued this crossing is for residents and visitors, and while further detailed checks continue, we will keep the bridge under close review and take any necessary action to protect those using it.”
