A MONMOUTH man was taken to Nevill Hall hospital after sustaining head injuries in a two-vehicle collision at the Wye Bridge junction of the A40 last week.

Bernard Peacock was driving across the bridge in his blue Bedford van at around 7.40pm on Tuesday November 22, on his way to the Glendower Street car park near his Worcester Street home, when the incident happened. Monmouth Police said the other vehicle involved, a five-door silver Nissan Murano, had allegedly ran through a red light while travelling northbound from the Gibraltar Tunnels on the duel-carriageway.

A third vehicle at the scene, a white Interlink Express lorry, was seemingly not involved in the crash. An eyewitness told the Free Press that the lorry had been stationary in the adjacent lane to the silver car when the car apparently "jumped the lights".

She said she saw the blue van moving across the bridge at the same time as the car approached from the Gibraltar Tunnels and the two vehicles collided on the junction crossroads.

The fire brigade were called to the scene to cut Mr Peacock from his van, and he was subsequently released from hospital on Wednesday morning.

As police worked to clear the wreckage, traffic subsequently built up and was temporarily diverted down Wye Bridge Street to St James' roundabout. This resulted in one large vehicle dangerously clipping an overhanging branch of the Catalpa Tree.

Last week's collision was the third serious accident on the A40 in six months. On Sunday May 29, 20-year-old Megumi Wilson from the Kymin was knocked down while walking across the duel-carriageway; and on Monday October 3 four Cardiff City footballers, including 19-year-old Nicky Fish, were injured in another two-vehicle collision.

Campaigners continue to call for a reduced speed limit on the A40 at Monmouth from the Gibraltar Tunnels to the Dixton Roundabout.

l Police are still investigating the latest crash and are appealing for witnesses to contact PC Jeff Barclay on 01600 712321.