NATIONAL Highways have highlighted the progress being made on the A40 to clear and secure a stretch of the road following a rockfall, which blocked one lane.

The rockfall occurred at Leys Bend, close to Ganarew and the Doward on the Monmouthshire/Herefordshire border in February 2024, following which a contraflow has been in operation between Monmouth and the Symonds Yat service areas.

Over the past year, a team of specialists have designed a complex engineering solution following the rockfall and, after extensive surveying, workers can now safely remove the debris and safeguard the hillside so the road can once again be re-opened.

Due to the complexities of the planned solution, and issues in protecting local wildlife and habitats on the site, the scheme, which was due to finish summer 2025, is now expected to finish this winter.

National Highways Route Manager, Joseph Walmsley, said: “So much work has gone into planning these engineering works and ensuring the safety of both road users and our workforce.

“Safety was always the priority for us so we had to be sure we had a plan to prevent further rockfalls at this location.

“Thanks to a team of experts and extensive surveys, we have been able to stabilise the area and start work on this quite complex engineering solution.

““We are excited to share details of the work and to offer more insight into the scheme so please do come along to the information events.”

The contraflow system, which has kept the road open in both directions along this stretch will remain in place until the works are finished.

Two public information events are being held offering road users and local residents’ information on the project.

These are being held on September 12, between11am to 7pm at Monmouth’s Shire Hall and between 10am to 2pm on September 13 at Monmouth’s Monnow Bridge.