Residents say they feel “trapped” after landslip closes key road in Monmouthshire

Residents and farmers in a Monmouthshire village say they feel cut off after a landslip forced the closure of the main road in and out of the community several weeks ago.

The collapse occurred on 30 January beneath the lane between Cwmyoy and Llanthony, creating a steep vertical drop next to the carriageway and prompting the road to be closed on safety grounds.

Since then, drivers have been diverted via the Gospel Pass – Wales’ highest mountain road – a narrow single-track route that locals say adds hours to their journeys and is unsuitable for many vehicles, including agricultural suppliers.

Journeys now taking hours

Farmer Mark Morgan, who lives in Llanthony, said everyday travel has become extremely difficult.

Previously, the drive to nearby Abergavenny took around 30 minutes. Now, using the diversion route, the journey can take more than an hour. Trips to the nearest hospital in Cwmbran now take around 90 minutes.

“My father, who’s nearly 90, lives a couple of miles down the road,” he said. “Normally it’s a 10-minute trip to see him. Now it’s two hours to get there and two hours to come home again.”

He added that even essential services have been affected, with postal deliveries unable to use the mountain diversion.

Residents have called for a temporary solution, such as a short track across nearby fields, while a permanent repair is developed.

Farmers warn of animal welfare risks

Local farmers say the situation is also threatening livestock and farm operations.

Bryony Gittins, who farms in the valley, said around 150 residents were affected by the closure and many felt “trapped”.

She currently has about 850 sheep and fears supplies needed to feed them may not reach the farm in time.

“I have huge concern about how I’m going to keep the sheep food coming in,” she said. “Heavy agricultural vehicles are essential for us and some simply can’t use the diversion route.”

With lambing season approaching in April, she warned that time is running out.

“There will be starving animals,” she said. “The closer we get to lambing, the more urgent this becomes.”

Businesses also affected

Agricultural contractor Chris Powell said the closure is also hitting local businesses, with some tractors and trailers unable to navigate the diversion.

“We can’t get supplies in, and tankers delivering red diesel are refusing to use the diversion route because it’s not suitable,” he said.

He is urging authorities to create a temporary route through nearby farmland to restore access while longer-term stabilisation works take place.

Road deemed unsafe

Monmouthshire County Council said the road remains closed due to a “serious risk to public safety”.

Officials explained that the landslip created a vertical edge beside the road and that further movement could occur beneath the surface without warning.

“The tarmac may conceal signs of collapse until the moment failure occurs,” the council said.

Specialist geotechnical engineers have inspected the site and investigation work is ongoing. The authority said it is working with contractors to finalise designs for a permanent solution and has begun the required monitoring and engineering assessments.

The road will remain closed until a safe repair can be designed and delivered, the council added.