High street business owners are worried about the lack of footfall following a bridge closure (file) (Image: Getty)
A UK town is struggling to respond to a drop in footfall after the town’s 210-year-old cast iron bridge closed. Officials cited safety concerns as the reason for closure but with a lack of footfall from the bridge, businesses in the area are suffering. Wye Bridge in Monmouth, Wales, has been shut until further notice.
The closure has come after engineers noticed significant cracks during an inspection in October 2025. Confirmation of the closure came on March 27 this year and has caused problems for Chepstow traders ever since. Those who own businesses in the area cite the Wye Bridge closure as a major reason for their dwindling profits.
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Dawn Floyd, 67, who has run Saint Mary’s Collectables on Mary Street for 15 years, told South Wales Argus that the lack of footfall and rising business rates had massively affected her business.
She said: “It’s disgusting, especially with what’s going on as well. If the bridge is closed, there’s no proper flow of traffic. You’ve got to detour, and when it’s busy it can add 40 minutes on the main road coming in from Lydney. We all received our business rates notification, and they got it wrong (Monmouthshire Council)—they made a mistake.
“They sent out a statement two weeks later… or three weeks after… saying, ‘We’re very sorry, we’ve made a mistake.’ And we’re stuck with this.”
The bridge closure has seen footfall decrease but traffic from Gloucestershire had already been affected by the initial October 2025 closure, which prevented vehicles from using the bridge. Footfall had been allowed at that time but has since been suspended.
Dawn went on to outline how much of an effect the bridge closure was having on the town. She added: “It’s having a tremendous effect. We must apply for rate relief and prove why, but we should be getting it automatically. I’m lucky, I’m chairman of the community council, but not everyone is in the same position.
Old Wye Bridge has yet to reopen to vehicles since October, and footfall since March (file) (Image: Getty)
“The councils need to wake up and see what’s going on here. Who is representing Chepstow, and who is taking control of the bridge? It is making businesses suffer. Someone needs to take control, as businesses are suffering. We have some lovely shops trying their best, and I’m genuinely concerned about how this is impacting them.”
Matthew Taylor, 53, who owns Chepstow Books & Gifts on St Mary’s Street, backed Dawn’s comment and says the town now feels much quieter. “It’s a very attractive thing for tourists to see and now they’ve taken that away. People are frustrated it’s not there anymore. People want to know if it’s fixable because it’s over 200 years old.”
A spokesperson for Monmouthsire County Council said: “At this time, the council has not been made aware of any specific concerns regarding the impact of the bridge closure on local trading.
“Business rates are set nationally by the Welsh Government, with recent increases due to revaluation and changes across Wales, not the bridge closure. The council administers rates but does not set them.
“Businesses affected by reduced trade should contact the Valuation Office Agency to request a temporary reduction in their rateable value. Our Revenues Shared Service can also offer support, including payment plans. In exceptional cases, hardship relief may be considered.
“We are aware of an issue affecting some businesses where transitional relief has been incorrectly applied. Affected businesses have been contacted and revised bills will be issued.”