A WELSH Government proposal to ease traffic problems in Chepstow has been slammed as “daft” and a mere sticking plaster on the problems the town faces now and in the future.

It was previously reported that economy minister Edwina Hart is looking more closely at a plan to stop motorists turning right on the Bulwark junction onto Hardwick Hill and another to improve the High Beech roundabout.

But in a letter to the minister, Paul Freeman, of Fair View, said: I’ve lived in Chepstow for over 40 years and never heard anything as daft as this and therefore wonder why on earth you have signed such a project off without adequately considering the obvious implications.”

He said the town is in desperate need of a bypass and that the current proposals “help nobody and cause yet more confusion and traffic chaos.”

In a study into the traffic problems in the town, consultants Parsons Brinckerhoff sent 200 letters on behalf of the Welsh Government to residents and advertised in five local newspapers but received only 30 responses.

The Free Press reported last week how a Welsh Government spokesman said the Transport Minister had given the go ahead to develop the two options following survey work and a public consultation.

But Sarah Jones, who lives in Tutshill but works for haulage firm MCL Logistics in Newport, said half of her journey into work is spent getting out of Chepstow because the town is so gridlocked.

She said: “I’m not sure doing anything at the right turning will do anything. And they want to build all these new houses, which is only going to make it worse.”

And Chepstow town councillor Hilary Beach who lives close to the Bulwark junction said she was unsure what Mrs Hart’s plans would achieve.

Ms Beach said plans needed to go further: “I think the adjustments to the roundabout could be helpful but on the turning I don’t think it’s going to make much difference.”

Among current plans, Mabey Bridge has submitted proposals to build a 600-home housing estate on the site of the National Shipyard Number 1 close to the River Wye. Another 110-home estate in Sedbury was granted on behalf of Barratt Homes after an appeal in November.

Last year a Monmouthshire council report said plans for 400 houses, as the plans were then for the Shipyard site, were expected to impact on traffic emissions on Hardwick Hill, where the right turning prohibition would take effect if introduced.

Nitrogen oxide emissions recorded there have routinely exceeded national and EU guidelines.

The 2014 Air Quality Progress Report said the authority was treating plans to scrap tolls on the Severn Bridge by 2017 as a priority because of the number of lorries that drive through the town to avoid them.