​The A466 at Bigsweir Bridge will be closed for two weeks in the new year as resurfacing work is carried out.

Gloucestershire Highways will start the work on Monday, January 4, which will include refurbishing the traffic signals on the bridge.

A signed diversion route will be in place to inform motorists of the alternative route and businesses will be open for business as usual.

The A466 will be closed to through traffic during the working day for the full 2 weeks.

For the first three days the closure will be for 24 hours.

After that the closure will start at 8:30am and come off at 3:30pm, temporary two-way lights will need to be installed on the bridge over night as the existing ones will not be working until Thursday 7th at the earliest.

Access will be maintained for those residents living immediately adjacent to the bridge on the Gloucestershire side.

Andrew Prout from Gloucestershire Highways, said: “There will inevitably be some delays while the road is being resurfaced but residents who need access to Bigsweir House can arrange it with the workforce on site.  The improvements are essential and access to local businesses will be available at all times.”

Letters informing residents of the works and access arrangements have been delivered this week.

The usual ‘split’ diversion route will be comprehensively signed throughout the closure. Chepstow bound traffic will be signed along the A4136, B4228, B4231, A48 via Bream and Lydney. Monmouth bound traffic will be signed along the A466, B4293 via Devauden and Trellech. Information signs indicating that ‘businesses are open as usual’ will be placed on the A466 at Racecourse Roundabout, A4136 / A466 May Hill, Monmouth and A466 Redbrook Village.

Local county councillor, Terry Glastonbury, said: “These  works will undoubtedly cause a few minor problems, but it is essential to protect this wonderful structure in such an lovely part of our county.”