Major Landslide Cuts Off Rural Monmouthshire Community
A significant landslide has left residents of the Llanthony Valley in Monmouthshire feeling isolated and frustrated, with the collapse creating a vertical drop beside a key road and severing their primary access route. The incident, which occurred on January 30 when a riverbank gave way below the main road between Cwmyoy and Llanthony, has resulted in the road being closed due to serious safety risks, forcing locals to rely on a single, perilous alternative path.
Residents Express Profound Disappointment and Stress
Michelle Turner, a resident of Llanthony, voiced the community's collective sentiment, stating, "We all pay council tax yet we have effectively been cut off with little warning, inadequate communication and no clear or safe plan to protect residents' welfare." The situation has escalated to what locals describe as "bordering on a critical incident," with emergency services facing major disruptions. Ambulances and fire engines are now forced to divert via Hay-on-Wye, leading to journeys of up to two hours to reach A&E, and in at least one medical emergency requiring CPR, barriers had to be removed to allow access.
Engineers Warn of Ongoing Instability and Hidden Dangers
Specialist geotechnical engineers from Monmouthshire County Council assessed the damage and recorded "substantial" movement during public visits on February 2 and 3. They warned that the landslide formed a vertical edge beside the carriageway, meaning any further movement is likely to occur beneath the road surface itself. The tarmac could conceal signs of collapse until failure happens, making the route extremely unsafe. As a result, barriers have been erected at the site, but this has prompted frustration among residents, who report a lack of consultation or notice, exacerbating feelings of isolation.
Alternative Route Poses Severe Risks and Inconveniences
With the main road blocked, the only alternative requires drivers to travel over the Gospel Pass, the highest road in Wales open to vehicles. Locals are nervous about taking this route, especially under icy and wet conditions. Michelle Turner highlighted that the alternative path over Capel Y Ffin into Hay is narrow, potholed, prone to flooding, fog, and ice, and unsuitable as the sole access for residents, school transport, delivery vehicles, and emergency services. This detour can extend journeys by up to 37 miles and 90 minutes to reach Abergavenny, severely impacting daily life.
Wide-Ranging Effects on Community and Livelihoods
The road closure has had devastating effects on the valley's inhabitants. Farmers are described as "extremely stressed, frustrated, even depressed," with difficulties obtaining supplies risking animal welfare. Some have resorted to moving barriers to bring in essentials, a move the council deems "incredibly dangerous" as it could damage the unstable road surface. Parents face challenges with school transport and family commitments, while businesses are cut off, commuting is disrupted, and basic services like post, deliveries, and refuse collections have halted.
Council Response and Ongoing Measures
A spokesperson from Monmouthshire County Council stated, "Following the closure between Cwmyoy and Llanthony on January 30 due to a serious landslip, specialist geotechnical engineers have attended to inspect the site. Based on their advice—and the continued deterioration—the road must remain closed due to the serious risk to public safety." The council is working with relevant departments to coordinate measures for essential services, including emergency access, school transport, and refuse collection, and has initiated investigation, monitoring, and design work. They emphasize that the road will remain closed until a safe, engineered solution is delivered, with updates provided via a dedicated area on the council's website.
