Chepstow's Old Wye Bridge set to reopen to pedestrians after safety closure

Monmouthshire County Council says Chepstow's Old Wye Bridge will partially reopen to pedestrians from June 20, with access limited to the pavement and a one-metre section of the road.

Preparatory work to reposition temporary barriers began on June 16 ahead of the reopening, which follows months of restrictions after engineers raised concerns about the historic crossing's structural condition.

Why the bridge closed

The bridge was first closed to vehicular traffic on October 1, 2025 after a crack was discovered during a routine inspection. A later special inspection in late March found new defects at Piers 2 and 4, prompting the council to close the bridge to pedestrians on March 26, 2026.

A council presentation dated March 31 said provisional calculations suggested the cracks did not significantly affect the bridge's ability to carry its own weight or pedestrians, but that some road and footway areas had inadequate support.

What will reopen

The reopening is partial. Pedestrians will be able to use the pavement and a narrow one-metre strip of the road, while the bridge remains under specialist monitoring.

Monmouthshire County Council says the decision follows approval from specialist engineers and an ongoing Category III safety assessment by independent engineers. The bridge will continue to be digitally monitored and subject to further structural checks.

What happens next

The Old Wye Bridge, which was built in 1816, links Chepstow in Wales with Gloucestershire in England across the River Wye.

The council has not said the restrictions are ending entirely. Longer-term strengthening options are still being developed, and officials are continuing to review the bridge's condition.

The reopening gives pedestrians back limited access to a key local crossing, but the wider repair picture remains unresolved.