Motorists frustrated by persistent congestion on the A48 heading into Wales may see renewed hope as Forest of Dean MP Matt Bishop announces he will now consider proposals for a Chepstow bypass—a project he opposed two and a half years ago while serving as a Forest of Dean District Councillor.
Calls for improved infrastructure to ease traffic bottlenecks along this crucial route have long been a source of debate. In July 2023, a motion supporting the construction of a new Forest Gateway Road in Chepstow was rejected by District Councillors, including Matt Bishop. However, after hosting a public meeting on local transport earlier this month, the MP expressed willingness to re-examine the bypass plans.
Conservative Councillor Nick Evans, a vocal advocate for the bypass representing the Tidenham ward, welcomed Bishop’s change of heart. “It’s encouraging to see our MP rally behind the campaign to enhance road infrastructure in the Forest, despite his earlier voting record,” Evans commented. He emphasized that the Forest Gateway Road remains the most advanced and feasible solution to the area’s traffic woes. “I was surprised when Matt Bishop previously voted against this vital infrastructure in July 2023. It’s good that he has now changed his stance.”
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Responding to Evans, Matt Bishop criticized the councillor for what he described as political point-scoring that detracts from an honest conversation about regional transport challenges. Bishop explained that his earlier opposition was based on concerns about the lack of secured funding and clarity on delivery from Gloucestershire County Council at the time of the 2023 vote.
“At that stage, there were legitimate questions about the feasibility and financial backing of the proposed bypass,” Bishop said. “No substantial follow-up proposals addressing these concerns were presented by Cllr Evans during my remaining tenure as a councillor.”
Bishop stressed that his ‘no’ vote was not against improving roads but against backing “unfunded, undeliverable plans designed more for headlines than practical outcomes.” He elaborated, “Residents are weary of repeated schemes that fail to materialize and political grandstanding masquerading as solutions.”
Looking ahead, Bishop signaled his commitment to fostering “sensible and responsible” dialogues with constituents, professionals, transport bodies, and local authorities to explore realistic options for alleviating transport pressures—not just quick fixes.
“Whether from towns or villages, people face daily traffic challenges,” he noted. “My duty is to represent the whole constituency by pursuing improvements that can genuinely be delivered, rather than merely demanded.”
Bishop also pointed out that previous Conservative leadership, including MPs who served as Transport Secretary and party control at district and county levels, failed to secure major road investments for the Forest of Dean. “Despite Conservative dominance across multiple levels, the region was repeatedly overlooked. Residents rightly question why this continued.”
As discussions around the Chepstow bypass gain momentum, the community awaits a clear, pragmatic path forward to ease the A48 congestion that affects so many daily.