National Highways releases new images of A40 work after rockfall

A team of specialists has designed a complex engineering solution following the rockfall and, after extensive survey work, workers can now safely remove the debris and safeguard the hillside so the road can once again be re-opened.

Two public information events are being held this month offering road users and local residents the opportunity to find out more about the work that is taking place and speak to members of the project team.

Debris has been removed from the road and work is taking place on the hillside

To improve the long-term safety of the location and prevent further rockfalls here, a patterning of steel bolts and steel mesh will be installed across the stretch of slope affected by the rockfall at Leys Bend, on the Herefordshire/Monmouthshire border.

The debris which was blocking the A40 following the rockfall

To find out more about the work taking place, people are invited to come along to the information events on September 12 and 13 in Monmouth. They are taking place as follows:

•  September 12, 11am to 7pm, Shire Hall, Agincourt Square, NP25 3DY
•  September 13, 10am to 2pm, Monnow Bridge, Monnow Street, NP25 5ES

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, we are there to answer any questions you may have.”

A drilling rig mounted on a long reach excavator inserts test nails into the rockface to confirm that the materials and method are suitable

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