Huge landslide leaves residents stranded

Locals say they have been left feeling isolated and anxious

Residents of a small Welsh community feel let down after a landslip left them with only one route in and out of their homes. The collapse first occurred on January 30 when a riverbank gave way below the main road between Cwmyoy and Llanthony in Monmouthshire.

Since then the ground has remained unstable and continues to deteriorate, leaving the locals of Llanthony Valley effectively stranded. “As a community, we feel profoundly let down,” said Michelle Turner who lives in Llanthony.

“We all pay council tax yet we have effectively been cut off with little warning, inadequate communication and no clear or safe plan to protect residents’ welfare.” For the biggest stories in Wales first sign up to our daily newsletter here

Monmouthshire County Council said the road was closed on the day of the initial landslip to allow specialist engineers to assess the damage.

“Substantial” movement was recorded during public visits on February 2 and 3, they said. Engineers have warned that the slip has formed a vertical edge immediately beside the carriageway, meaning any further movement is likely to occur beneath the road surface itself.

The tarmac could conceal signs of collapse until failure happens, making the route extremely unsafe, they said. Based on their findings and the continued instability, the road remains shut due to a “serious risk” to public safety, with barriers now erected at the site.

The barriers have prompted frustration among residents, with many saying the lack of consultation or notice has left people feeling isolated and anxious, with the situation “bordering on a critical incident”.

The closure has caused major disruption to emergency services, Michelle claimed. “Ambulances and fire engines are forced to divert via Hay-on-Wye, resulting in journeys of up to two hours to reach A&E,” she said.

She claimed that there have already been medical emergencies in the valley, including incidents requiring CPR, and in at least one case barriers had to be removed to allow emergency access.

Residents also pointed out that with the road blocked the only alternative route requires drivers to travel over the Gospel Pass – the highest road in Wales open to vehicles. With icy and wet conditions in force, locals are said to be nervous in taking this route.

Michelle said the alternative route over Capel Y Ffin into Hay is narrow, potholed, prone to flooding, fog and ice, and unsuitable as the sole access for residents, school transport, delivery vehicles and emergency services. Some residents now face journeys of up to 37 miles and a 90-minute detour to reach Abergavenny.

The road closure has also had wide-ranging effects on daily life. “Farmers are extremely stressed, frustrated, even depressed,” said one local.

“It’s been incredibly difficult obtaining supplies. Some have risked driving over the slip when barriers were opened to bring in essentials – otherwise animals could die. We simply cannot use the Gospel Pass due to its size and road conditions.”

Parents highlighted challenges with school transport and family commitments. “Some places require oil or calor gas, boilers need servicing, a tree is dangerously leaning on power lines, and hospital or medical appointments are affected. The list goes on,” they added.

“Businesses are cut off, commuting is severely disrupted, and basic services such as post and deliveries – including refugee collections – have stopped.”

As a result, some residents have carefully weighed the risks and decided that crossing the slip is safer than taking the highest pass in Wales.

“After weighing up the dangers of crossing a slip which may collapse if we’re unlucky, many residents decided it’s safer than driving over the pass. But we do not want visitors or tourists coming through road-closed signs,” the resident said.

In light of their concerns, a spokesperson from Monmouthshire County Council said: “Following the closure between Cwmyoy and Llanthony on January 30 due to a serious landslip, specialist geotechnical engineers have attended to inspect the site. Based on their advice—and the continued deterioration—the road must remain closed due to the serious risk to public safety.

“We are working with relevant departments and partner organisations to coordinate appropriate measures for essential services including emergency access, school transport, refuse collection, and other key provisions.

“We have also initiated the required investigation, monitoring, and design work in order to move forward with this situation. Until a safe, engineered solution is delivered, the road will remain closed for public safety.

“Monmouthshire County Council recognises the disruption this causes to local residents and is working to ensure public safety is maintained. We will continue to keep residents updated via a dedicated area on the council’s website.”

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