Matt Bishop, the Forest of Dean MP, has signaled a fresh willingness to explore proposals for a Chepstow bypass—a development he had earlier opposed while serving as a district councillor. The A48 leading into Wales has long been plagued by traffic jams, prompting calls from motorists for effective relief measures.
In July 2023, a motion to support the Forest Gateway Road at Chepstow was rejected by District Councillors, including then-Councillor Bishop, who voted against the initiative. Fast forward to a recent public meeting on local roads and transport, where Bishop expressed interest in reviewing proposals concerning the Chepstow area.
Conservative Councillor Nick Evans, representing the Tidenham ward and a longtime advocate for the bypass, welcomed Bishop’s change of heart. “I’m pleased the MP has come around to supporting improvements in our road infrastructure, despite his previous vote against it,” Evans remarked. He emphasized that the Forest Gateway Road remains the most viable and advanced solution to the ongoing congestion.
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Bishop responded by cautioning against politicizing the transport debate. He explained that his earlier opposition was grounded in practical concerns: the lack of guaranteed funding and clear backing from Gloucestershire County Council. “I voted against proposals that were unfunded and undeliverable, aimed more at headlines than actual progress,” he clarified.
Highlighting the need for responsible dialogue, Bishop stressed the importance of consulting residents, experts, and transport bodies to identify realistic and actionable improvements for the entire constituency. “No single project will resolve all traffic issues, but we must pursue effective solutions that truly benefit the community,” he said.
Bishop also pointed out the irony in Evans’ criticism given the Forest of Dean’s prior representation by a Conservative MP who served as Transport Secretary, yet large-scale strategic road investments remained elusive. He noted the region’s consistent underinvestment despite Conservative leadership at district, county, and national levels.
As discussions continue, the focus remains on achieving practical, well-supported infrastructure improvements that address the persistent traffic challenges affecting residents throughout the Forest of Dean.