Member of the Senedd for Monmouth, Peter Fox, has visited the site of the rock fall north of Monmouth on the A40, to see ongoing construction works.
Following a visit in February 2025, Mr Fox was invited back to the site by National Highways to see the ongoing construction work to fix the rock fall and re-open the eastbound carriageway.
During the visit, the Monmouth MS was appraised of the technical aspects of the work which include the installation of 400-500 soil nails to secure the rock face and support the steel mesh being attached. The mesh, known as an ‘active mesh’ is tensioned, which in combination with the nails holds the rock in place to prevent further falls.
Mr Fox was shown the construction work first hand, where he saw the nails and mesh being installed, in addition to a new vehicle restrain system and the creation of a new drainage channel to prevent any water from the hillside further disturbing the slipped material.
The work to pin back the rock face and secure the site is ongoing.
Local MS for Monmouth, Peter Fox, has said:
“I am very grateful once again to National Highways for taking the time to invite me to the site, and for showing me the ongoing works.
“I have always been a firm believer in seeing something for yourself, and it is clear the work that is going into making this area safe is technical but essential.
“National Highways have been excellent in keeping me and my office informed about these works, and today’s visit was a culmination of this communication.
“All within National Highways are working hard to progress this work, and I look forward to this part of the A40 being re-opened as soon as possible.”
National Highways Route Manager, Joseph Walmsley, said:
“We were delighted to welcome Peter onto the Leys Bend site so he could see first-hand the progress we are making on this complex scheme following the rockfall which blocked one lane of this important route.
“Construction is steaming ahead now and we are working hard to complete the engineering solution which will not only mean we can fully open the A40 once again but also stabilise and safeguard the hillside for the future.”
