A BYPASS is not a realistic option for Chepstow, say energy and traffic campaigners who are fighting for tolls to be introduced on one of the busiest roads in the town.

Friends of the Earth Cymru held a public meeting in Chepstow on Monday night to put forward its case for a toll on the A48 main artery road through the town.

The organisation says a bypass would only move traffic problems and bottle necks to another part of Chepstow and called for improved public transport along with greater traffic management on the A48.

The group also argued that a Chepstow bypass was not a funding priority for the National Assembly, a fact confirmed by local AM David Davies, who is on the transport committee and was in attendance at the meeting. Residents and councillors also attended the meeting at Chepstow Rugby Club, in Bulwark, to hear how a toll on the main road could benefit the town.

Friends of the Earth said there were traffic problems on the A48 because it is a route to Bristol, a major commuting centre, and lorries use the road to avoid the Severn Tunnel.

They say traffic levels on the A48 match national traffic levels, which are rising.

Friends of the Earth said a toll would cut peak time congestion, discourage rat-running lorries, provide revenue for public transport and improve the quality of life in Chepstow.

It is now calling on Monmouthshire county council and the Welsh Assembly to fund a feasibility study into how a tolling system would work.

Neil Crumpton, an energy and traffic campaigner, said: 'The tolls do not have to be at all times of the day. We propose just peak times and it may displace traffic to other times of the day.

'This may not reduce traffic, but it may stop congestion. It will focus on those lorries that are rat-running rather than those who come to Chepstow for deliveries.'

However, David Davies AM raised concerns about the accusation of rat-running by lorry drivers.